Contrast‑Enhanced Mammography (CEM) is an advanced breast imaging technique that combines a standard mammogram with an injected contrast dye. The dye provides additional information that can help with earlier detection, especially for women with dense breast tissue or who have had previous breast surgery.
Why choose Contrast‑Enhanced Mammography (CEM)?
- Improved cancer detection in dense breasts: CEM overcomes many of the limitations of density by focusing on vascular changes rather than tissue appearance
- Helps differentiate surgical change from cancerous change: CEM is an excellent addition for screening after breast cancer surgery as it distinguishes post-surgical scars from tumour recurrence
- Comparable to MRI: It offers a similar cancer detection rate to breast MRI but is quicker, more comfortable, and generally more accessible
- Fast turnaround: Results are often available the same day
Who is Contrast‑Enhanced Mammography suitable for?
CEM is often recommended for:
- Further assessment of suspicious findings
- Follow up after cancer related breast surgery, for the first 5 years
- As an alternative examination for patients where MRI is unable
- Determining the extent of a newly diagnosed cancer
- Monitoring response to chemotherapy
- Screening women with elevated‑risk factors or dense breasts
CEM may not be appropriate for people with:
- Known allergies to iodine or contrast dye
- Have breast implants
- Significant kidney disease
- Pregnant
What to expect during a Contract-Enhanced Mammogram
- Before your mammogram, a small amount of contrast dye is injected into a vein in your arm
- After 2–3 minutes, once the contrast has circulated, the mammogram is performed
- The breast compression feels the same as a standard mammogram
- Two sets of images are taken:
Low‑energy images:
comparable to a usual mammogram
High‑energy images:
show where the iodine contrast has collected - The system then creates a “recombined” image that highlights areas with abnormal blood flow