Course Description
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in North America. The probability of developing breast cancer increases with age, and the most common risk factors associated with its development, age and gender, are not modifiable. Several well-established diagnostic tools are currently used to screen and image patients for breast cancer including physical breast examinations, mammograms, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and sonography, however, mammography has been the gold standard for breast imaging for many years. Over time, adjunctive screening tools were developed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assist with breast imaging and cancer detection, including breast infrared thermography and electrical impedance mammography (EIM). Despite being adjunctive modalities, their roles in assisting with screening and imaging patients in certain clinical situations or with specific health conditions are important ones, and it is equally important for radiologic technologists and mammographers to be knowledgeable about them both. This course will review breast anatomy, changes to the breast over time, and an overview of mammography equipment, components, terminology, and key concepts. Advantages of using adjunctive breast imaging tools for patients who need to avoid or limit their exposure to radiation will be discussed. A thorough discussion of EIM and breast infrared thermography is included, which will cover the description and technical function of both modalities, patient and scanning room preparation, patient positioning, image acquisition and review techniques, how to use both modalities along with mammography, their roles in assisting with screening and/or diagnosing patients with breast abnormalities or cancer, and the benefits and limitations of both modalities.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• OUTLINE the anatomy of the female breast.
• IDENTIFY the role of mammography as a breast cancer screening and imaging tool.
• EXPLAIN current digital imaging technologies used for direct digital mammography and three-dimensional digital breast tomosynthesis.
• EXPLAIN proper patient preparation procedures and positioning techniques for mammography, breast infrared thermography, and electrical impedance mammography (EIM).
• SUMMARIZE the functions and clinical applications of, scanning protocols for, and image acquisition and review techniques for breast infrared thermography and EIM.

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 29 out of 38 questions correctly to receive CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 4.25 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for Technical credits). 

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.