Some alternatives to mammograms for breast screening.

None: At present there are no definite good alternatives to mammograms for breast screening. Ultrasound and MRI are complimentary to mammograms but do not replace mammograms. Specifically microcalcifications are best seen on mammograms which have resolution of up to 70 microns. There are some advertised screening alternatives but none are as tried and true as mammograms.

Mammography: is still the standard of care for breast screening, so unless there is an overriding reason not to do it(for example, it may be impossible with a severely kyphotic patient), it should be the first line of screening. Otherwise, ultrasound is also used for screening but suffers from high false positive rates. "Fast" Breast MRI techniques are under investigation, but not in common usage.

MRI: Can be considered an additional test in patients considered high risk for the development of breast cancer. However, the american cancer society does not believe it should replace mammography and breast exam in screening of patients for breast cancer. See web site: http://www.Cancer.Org/cancer/breastcancer/moreinformation/breastcancerearlydetection/breast-cancer-early-detection-acs-recs.

Mammography: is the standard of care. Screening MRI may be indicated in certain high risk patients. Screening ultrasound may be useful, but has not been validated by clinical studies at this point.