Ask an Oncology Expert with Dr. Daniel Aronson

Dr. Daniel Aronson is Medical Director of the GBMC Pavilion Breast Imaging Center and an attending radiologist for Advanced Radiology at GBMC. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Aronson will use his nearly 30 years of breast imaging experience (including biopsies) to share his expertise on breast imaging.

Dr. Aronson was previously trained at Johns Hopkins and did a cross-sectional imaging fellowship at Yale. At GBMC, he believes the comprehensive approach to care by the superb medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, surgeons, nurse navigators and geneticists makes the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute a stand-out oncology program.

On Wednesday, October 13, Dr. Aronson answered questions and discussed the indications, strengths, and weaknesses of different breast imaging modalities.

Three Takeaways

1. There are three modalities of breast imaging. Mammography is the most common because it is readily available, non-invasive, and affordable. Ultrasound, on the other hand, is often used to further explore results from a mammogram or for patients who may have a lump, including those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) creates the most detailed images and is an excellent complement to regular mammograms for patients who have inconclusive results needing further exploration.
2. It is important for women with no increased risk to start annual mammograms at age 40. Women with increased risk, including family history or those with the BRCA1 gene mutation, should speak to their physician and being annual imaging before age 40. Dr. Aronson advised women to schedule their annual mammogram before receiving their COVID-19 vaccine or booster or waiting six weeks after their second shot. This is because the vaccine often causes swelling of the lymph nodes, which could result in further exploration causing unnecessary anxiety for patients.
3. Dr. Aronson looks forward to the advancements being made in breast imaging, specifically the research being done in molecular breast imaging using nuclear medicine. This could be especially helpful for patients who cannot tolerate, but need imaging from MRIs.

Community support is vital in continuing to maintain the latest and greatest technology for radiation therapy. Additionally, many patients are required to have daily treatments, which for some, makes it difficult to obtain transportation five days a week for multiple weeks. We are proud to be able to provide vouchers for transportation because of so many generous donations from our community.

To support radiation oncology patients, please consider making a contribution to the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute.