Preparation for an ultrasound can vary depending on the area being examined. For some exams, you may be asked to fast or drink water before the exam, while no preparation is necessary for others. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It's understandable to have questions about the services we offer. Please review our FAQs below. If you still have questions, please reach out to us.
3D Mammograms
A 3D Mammogram is the starting point to determine your breast tissue density. If you have dense breast tissue, you will be notified if you could benefit from supplemental imaging such as a Breast Ultrasound.
Most women of average risk start annual mammography at age 40. Women of increased risk may be advised to start earlier based on their family history or personal risk factors.
Mammograms can detect small cancers before they can be felt at their earliest size when they are most treatable.
Most women do not find Mammograms painful. However, some women may experience more discomfort if they have fibrocystic breasts or during their menstrual cycle when the breasts are more sensitive.
Avoid applying deodorant because it can interfere with the examination. If you have menstrual cycles, try to time your exam at least 7 days after finishing your cycle (not during your cycle) to minimize breast tenderness.
Not sure which type of mammogram you need? We offer both:
• Screening Mammograms are routine, low-dose exams for women with no symptoms, typically recommended annually starting at age 40.
• Diagnostic Mammograms provide a closer look when a screening exam finds something unusual, or when you’re experiencing symptoms like a lump or discharge.
3D Screening Mammogram
A 3D Screening Mammography is “the big picture” while Diagnostic Mammography is “the detail”. A screening mammogram is a routine low-dose x-ray of the breasts performed to detect small abnormalities before they can be felt on an exam. A diagnostic mammogram is performed to evaluate a breast concern such as breast lump, discharge, pain, or to further characterize an abnormal area seen on a screening mammogram.
The mammography technologist will walk you through the process of what is needed to obtain the best images. The technologist will position each breast onto a rectangular curved paddle of the mammogram machine and apply gentle pressure to obtain the x-ray images. You will hold your breath for a few seconds for each view to avoid motion on the images. The technologist will provide instructions on how and when you will obtain your results.
Screening Mammograms are able to detect findings as small as grains of sand or subtle masses before they can be felt on palpation. The patterns of the mammogram abnormalities determine the degree of suspicion. Most abnormal findings on a screening mammogram prove to be benign (noncancerous) on additional mammogram views or ultrasound. Findings that are persistently suspicious on the additional evaluation are biopsied.
If you are called back for “a closer look at an area” after a 3D mammogram screening, remember that most findings on a mammogram prove to be benign after additional workup. Since all of Together Women’s Health Imaging Centers are integrated, we can quickly and seamlessly complete your diagnostic imaging workup. An abnormal finding may be related to fibrocystic or hormonal changes of the breast.
Additional imaging may be recommended, including diagnostic mammography or medical diagnostic imaging, such as ultrasound. These radiology images help to further characterize an area on the screening mammogram to distinguish benign (noncancerous) findings from malignancy (cancer).
If you are called back for added imaging, you will be able to discuss your results with the radiologist. If there is still a question after the diagnostic breast imaging, the radiologist may recommend a minimally invasive breast biopsy. All of our minimally-invasive breast biopsies are performed in our Centers for your comfort and convenience. If a biopsy is indicated, then results will be available within two working days.
Your Care Team ensures the continuity of care from screening to diagnosis to treatment.
Our Care Team and navigator will coordinate your care with other specialists, including the radiologist, surgeon, or other specialists based on the recommendation of your referring clinician or within the continuity of care following the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines or the American Cancer Society (ACS) recommendations.
Diagnostic Mammogram
To evaluate a breast concern such as breast lump, discharge, pain, or to further characterize an abnormal area seen on a screening mammogram.
A diagnostic mammogram is performed using low dose x-ray to evaluate a breast concern such as breast lump, discharge, pain, or to further characterize an abnormal area seen on a screening mammogram. The same mammogram machine is used for performing screening and diagnostic exams. The difference is the use of specialized compression paddles, magnification or different angles used for diagnostic exams to bring out characteristics of benign versus malignant tumors.
Ultrasounds
Ultrasound is a radiology imaging technology that uses sound waves to characterize lumps or masses in the breast. Sound waves are emitted from crystals in a hand-held wand called a transducer or probe. The sound waves reflected back are presented as images for interpretation by a specialized radiologist to distinguish various findings.
Ultrasound is used for a variety of diagnostic purposes, including monitoring the development of a fetus during pregnancy, detecting and diagnosing medical conditions affecting the liver, kidneys, and other internal organs, and evaluating blood flow to different parts of the body.
During an ultrasound, a special gel is applied to the skin over the area being examined. A handheld device called a transducer is then placed over the gel, emitting high-frequency sound waves that bounce off the body's internal structures. These sound waves are then converted into images that can be viewed on a monitor.
Breast Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a radiology imaging technology that uses sound waves to characterize masses versus cysts in the breast. Sound waves are emitted from crystals in a hand-held wand called a transducer or probe. The sound waves reflected back are presented as images for interpretation by a specialized radiologist to distinguish various findings. Many of the findings we see on a breast ultrasound are too small or too deep to be felt on examination. Some clinicians will recommend whole breast ultrasound to detect small lesions in the breast before they can be felt. This may be in addition or as a substitute for mammography.
Your doctor may recommend a breast ultrasound if a screening mammogram shows an area that needs a closer look, if you have a palpable breast lump, or if you have dense breast tissue that makes mammograms harder to interpret.
Is a breast ultrasound better than a mammogram? The short answer: they're complementary, not competing. A mammogram is typically the first screening tool; breast ultrasound is used to get a clearer look at something the mammogram found, and it's especially useful for evaluating dense breast tissue, where mammograms alone can miss findings.
Breast self-examination programs are important but alone cannot detect the smallest lesions. Of course, when your clinician finds a bump or a lump of some kind on a clinical exam, he/she will immediately refer the patient for a mammogram. Women with higher than average risk factors may seek additional supplemental imaging such as MRI for strong family history or a whole breast ultrasound for dense tissue.
For example, a well-circumscribed isoechoic oval nodule oriented parallel to the skin with a distinct lesion boundary is most likely to be a benign fibroadenoma. These mass characteristics would be categorized as BI-RADS 3: Probably Benign. On the other hand, an irregular spiculated hypoechoic mass taller than wide with posterior shadowing with surrounding echogenic halo is more likely to be malignant (cancer). This lesion would be categorized as BI-RADS 5 with the recommendation for breast biopsy.
If you are in need of an emergency breast ultrasound, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can see you at one of our many locations in MI.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a medical procedure in which a small piece of tissue or cells is removed from a person's body for examination under a microscope. A biopsy aims to help diagnose or rule out certain medical conditions, such as cancer or infections.
Biopsy results will take a few business days.
Biopsies are always considered a medical necessity and should be covered by any health insurance plan.
A biopsy can help diagnose cancer by determining whether cancerous cells are in the tissue sample. However, a biopsy alone typically cannot determine the stage of cancer.
The cancer stage refers to how much cancer has grown and spread within the body. Staging usually involves a combination of imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, and other diagnostic procedures, such as biopsies of nearby lymph nodes.
In some cases, the type and grade of cancer determined by the biopsy can give clues about the stage. For example, certain types of cancer may be more likely to spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs. However, staging usually requires more information than a biopsy alone can provide.
Once the cancer is staged, the treatment plan can be developed, and the prognosis or outlook for the patient can be determined. It's important to talk to your doctor about your biopsy results and any additional tests or procedures that may be needed to determine the stage of your cancer.
After a biopsy, there are certain activities and behaviors that you should avoid to minimize the risk of complications and promote proper healing:
- Do not remove the bandage or dressing covering the biopsy site until your doctor tells you it is safe.
Avoid strenuous activities, such as lifting heavy objects, for at least 24 to 48 hours after the biopsy to reduce the risk of bleeding or further tissue damage. - Avoid swimming or soaking in a bathtub or hot tub for at least 24 to 48 hours after the biopsy to reduce the risk of infection.
- Do not consume alcohol or take any blood-thinning medications or supplements for at least 24 to 48 hours after the biopsy unless your doctor specifically advises you to do so.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you are given sedatives or anesthesia during the biopsy. These can impair your coordination and reaction time.
- Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms or complications after the biopsy, such as excessive bleeding, fever, severe pain, or signs of infection around the biopsy site.
Breast Ultrasound Biopsy
We may recommend a breast biopsy if an abnormality is detected during a mammogram, ultrasound, or clinical breast exam. A biopsy is used to determine if the abnormality is cancerous or benign.
During a breast ultrasound biopsy, a small tissue sample is removed from the breast using a needle guided by ultrasound during a breast ultrasound biopsy. The procedure typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes and is performed under local anesthesia.
We begin by cleaning and numbing the area with a local anesthetic. A small incision is made, and a biopsy needle is inserted into the breast tissue. The ultrasound helps determine the precise location of the abnormality. A small tissue sample is removed and sent to a laboratory for examination.
A breast ultrasound may be recommended after a mammogram if there are any suspicious findings on the mammogram that need further evaluation. A breast ultrasound can provide more detailed images of the breast tissue and help identify abnormalities that may require additional testing or treatment.
Breast Stereotactic Biopsy
Breast Stereotactic Biopsy is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to obtain a tissue sample from a suspicious area in the breast. It is usually recommended when an abnormality is seen on a mammogram or ultrasound and further investigation is needed to determine if it is cancerous.
During a Breast Stereotactic Biopsy, we ask the patient to lie on their stomach on a special table where the breast can be compressed and immobilized. Using low-dose mammography, we locate the area of concern. A small incision is made, and a needle is inserted into the breast to remove a tissue sample, which will be sent to a lab for analysis.
The Breast Stereotactic Biopsy looks for any abnormalities in the breast tissue that could indicate cancer, such as lumps, calcifications, or other changes.
The percentage of Breast Stereotactic Biopsies that show cancer varies depending on the individual case, the size and location of the suspicious area, and other factors. Studies have shown that between 20% and 30% of Breast Stereotactic Biopsies result in breast cancer diagnosis.
After a Breast Stereotactic Biopsy, patients may experience pain, swelling, or bruising in the breast area. These symptoms usually go away within a few days to a week. Patients can usually resume their normal activities within a day or two of the procedure, but should avoid any heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for a week or two. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions for aftercare to ensure proper healing.
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