Mammography remains the gold standard for screening for early stage breast cancer. Digital mammography uses computer-based electronic conductors to display a picture of the interior of the breast for the clearest, most accurate images, to lead to a correct diagnosis. Our radiologists review the images and send you a letter in the mail with the results. If the physician feels you need any additional assessment, treatment, or biopsy, we schedule that as soon as possible.
Mammograms alone may not be enough to find breast cancer in dense tissue. That is why breast ultrasounds are often performed in combination with a diagnostic mammogram. Ultrasound is useful for looking at some breast changes, such as lumps or changes in women with dense breast tissue. It also can be used to look at a suspicious area that was seen on a mammogram. Ultrasound is useful because it can often tell the difference between fluid-filled cysts (which are very unlikely to be cancer) and solid masses (which might need further testing to be sure they are not cancer).
