What is a breast ultrasound?

A breast ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive image diagnostics test that is recommended if the results from a mammogram or a physical examination indicate the presence of a breast abnormality.

The breast ultrasound doesn’t necessarily help in diagnosing breast cancer, however, it’s a potent tool to detect breast abnormalities, such as a lump, fluid-filled cyst or tumour.

While the image diagnostics test isn’t a breast cancer screening tool, it’s recommended over a mammogram for the same in case the patient is pregnant, under 25 years of age or has dense breast tissue.

This image testing procedure is capable of providing detailed images of the breasts including the soft tissues and blood vessels.

As the breast ultrasound is devoid of radiation, it’s considered to be the safest image diagnostics test to screen for breast issues.

When is a breast ultrasound needed?

Typically, doctor’s don’t use breast ultrasound on its own to screen for breast cancer. More often, they recommend an ultrasound to follow up on suspicious areas seen on a mammogram. Because hand-held ultrasound uses a small probe to check the tissue, it is most useful when there is a specific targeted area of interest within the breast to examine. Mammography is still the best tool for screening the entire breast, even in dense breasts.

Your doctor may recommend a breast ultrasound for many different reasons. Some of the most common are:

• Checking if a breast lump is a fluid-filled breast cyst (usually not cancerous) or a solid mass (which may require further testing).
• Investigating a focal area in the breast that appeared abnormal on a mammogram.
• Examining a pregnant woman’s breasts in conjunction with physical exam. Occasionally, a mammogram is also used in pregnant women because radiation doses are very low and the abdomen can be shielded if concern for breast cancer detection is high.
• Guiding a needle into a mass to sample tissue for a biopsy. Pathologists (specialized doctors) can then evaluate the tissue under a microscope to determine if the mass is breast cancer.