Along with traditional yearly mammograms and the occasional ultrasound test, women at risk of breast cancer can also be screened with a sophisticated machine called Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI. Estes Park Health is adding breast MRIs as a new service in the Diagnostic Imaging Department. Technologists use the same machine outfitted with a special breast coil to help create pristine images of the breasts and surrounding tissue.

An MRI uses powerful magnets, radio waves and a computer to create images radiologists read.

“MRI works with a high strength magnetic field,” explained EPH Radiologist Dr. John Knudtson. “There’s no radiation involved. It uses a totally different way of looking into the tissue. The MRI is better at separating out the different tissue types to determine which ones are normal and which ones are abnormal. It’s by far the most sensitive way to find breast cancer and in the cases of patients who have breast cancer, to be able to find out where the disease is, how much is there, where it all is, and get the patients the appropriate care and staging that they need.”

EPH Diagnostic Imaging Manager Jenn Hardin was one of the first women to help try out the new breast MRI scan.

“It was very quick,” Hardin observed. “It was comfortable to lay on. There’s a lot of cushioning underneath it. So, my ribs didn’t hurt. My sternum didn’t hurt. Having my arms down by my side really wasn’t too bad.”

The breast MRI exam only takes 15 to 18 minutes to conduct. Along with mammography and ultrasound, it provides doctors with a wealth of information.

“All those things work together in unison to provide you with the best information possible,” Dr. Knudtson noted.

MRI can be especially useful to image women with dense breasts, to gauge the impact of chemotherapy, or to stage a malignancy.

“The MRI machine that we have already had all the software and the capability,” Dr. Knudtson said. “We did need a new breast coil which is specifically used just for breast imaging. The breast coil we purchased is state-of-the-art. It’s much more comfortable than some of the older breast coils. It’s about as good as you can get in terms of capability and comfort.”

The new test will benefit patients of all ages. That’s important since many Estes Valley women are seniors.

“As you age, your risk for breast cancer does increase,” Dr. Knudtson emphasized. “Even if you don’t have any family history, even if you haven’t had any problems previously, the majority of breast cancers still happen in older women who have no family history at all.”

Until now, Estes Valley patients would need to travel to other medical facilities in the area to get this important test. Dr. Knudtson says he is excited to offer this test at Estes Park Health.

“This is what I love,” he said. “This is my passion. It’s what I’ve done extra training in. It’s really what I’ve enjoyed doing in trying to impact the patients’ lives. I certainly can’t prevent cancer, but I want to try and get as much information to the patient as I can so that they can feel empowered and get as much done here so that it is as convenient and comfortable as it possibly can be. I want to help them get through what is always going to be a very difficult journey.”

Hardin echoed Dr. Knudtson’s sentiment.

“We are so excited to be able to offer this new service line to our community,” she commented. “Having MRI breast is going to really enhance our breast cancer screening as well as women’s health in general.”

For advanced breast imaging conducted by compassionate professionals, think Estes Park Health. Mountaintop Medicine, Quality Care.

To watch a video about breast MRIs at Estes Park Health, go to https://youtu.be/Vb5Z6M09wgQ.