Breast imaging for general practioners

General practioners are the first doctors who visit a patient with breast complaint or a lady in an age with indication of breast screening.this is why they should have an update knowledge of the methods of breast screening,know the indications for each imaging technique and the age at which each technique should be performed.A general understanding of each imaging method,along with knowing the abilities and limitations of them is necessary before requsting the imageing for each patient. The age of the patient is a very important factor in choosing the modality of choice for breast imaging.if a young patient comlains of a breast lump and clinical breast exam is suggestive of a mass or an abnormal thickening in the region ,ultrasound should be performed for further evaluation.ultrasound is an operator dependant method, however,even if your radiologist is an expert in the field ,don’t postpone biopsy of a suspicious clinical finding,even if songraphy is negetive. Ultrasound is not accepted as screening for breast carcinoma. Mammography is still the unique screening method for breast cancer screening after 40. Mri has limited indications for breast screening in special cases,suchas brca positive family breast cancer. This short lecture will try to help a general practioner ,correctly use the imaging methods for early and accurate diagnosis and correcttreatment of patients with breast carcinoma