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breast health ultrasound

Ultrasound and mammography: the use of both techniques results in better diagnosis.

Ultrasound is another way of imaging the breasts. It does not replace mammography, but should be considered complimentary to it. Both mammography and ultrasound have different strengths and weaknesses, and the use of both techniques results in better diagnosis of breast lesions.

Ultrasound imaging of the breast has dramatically changed in the recent years owing to advances in technology. We are now able to see much smaller lesions, including hopefully finding cancers at an earlier stage.

With high resolution ultrasound we are more and more able to differentiate between benign and cancerous breast masses. Ultrasound can sometimes also find lesions not found clinically or on a mammogram.

At St.Mark’s every patient with symptoms or concerns regarding her breast will be scanned by ultrasound in addition to any other investigations.If you come for mammogram screening it will very often be advantageous to do an ultrasound at the same time as well. This is especially important if you have dense breast tissue (common in younger women).

Ultrasound is harmless and painless. It is frequently used in pregnancy to scan the unborn . Sound waves at a frequency of 3-14 MHz are sent through the breast tissue and return as a computerized picture on the screen. St. Marks ultrasound machines are of a very high quality incorporating many of the latest developments.

An ultrasound scan takes approximately10 to 20 minutes. You will be asked to lie on your back on a couch. Your breast physician will then apply some gel onto the breast and very carefully pass the ultrasound probe over both breasts and armpits. The probe will be pressed firmly, but will not be uncomfortable.

If a lump or other condition of concern is seen, a needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration (to drain cysts) can be done immediately under local anaesthesia.