Hormonal Influences on Breast Tissue during the Normal Menstrual Cycle Assignment

Hormonal Influences on Breast Tissue during the Normal Menstrual Cycle - Assignment Example This paper illustrates that according to Suri, the hormonal imbalance in female patient affects MRI accuracy. Menstrual occurs during cycles of between twenty-three and thirty-five days. In the book, Suri, explains that after the first half of the menstrual cycle is the best time to perform a breast MRI in women who experience a normal menstrual cycle. It is very difficult to figure out the best time to perform an MRI on women with an irregular menstrual cycle. Studies have shown that it is essential for doctors to measure progesterone levels before performing a breast MRI in women with irregular menstrual cycles. This helps in improving accuracy hence reducing the possibility of repeat tests. An MRI uses magnetic and radio waves to create a three-dimension image of the breast. A gadolinium which is a contrast resolution is injected into the body during an MRI. It collects in areas which have cancer growth thus helping doctors to see cancer. When progesterone levels are high more blo od flows in the breast. When this is the case, the contrast solution collects through ought the entire breast. This makes distinguishing regular tissues and irregular tissues hard, hence a possibility of repetition. According to Michell, today measuring of progesterone level should be done before a breast MRI is done routinely especially for women who have irregular menstrual cycles. However menstrual cycle whether regular or irregular should be put into consideration before an MRI is done. Disappointingly, most radiologists do not assess progesterone level or even put the women’s menstrual cycle into consideration. This turns out to be very expensive due to the repeat test which cost a tone of money. If a woman is about to have a breast MRI scan, she should talk to her radiologist about timing the MRI with respect to their menstrual cycle. If possible, Michell suggests that women should avoid going for a breast MRI during the second half of their menstrual cycle. This is bec ause progesterone levels are high during this period hence affecting the accuracy of the MRI resulting to repeat tests which are very expensive.