Frequently Asked Breast Health & Screening Questions

What is a breast ultrasound?

Breast ultrasound is a non-invasive FDA-approved screening test that can clarify the nature of findings that are seen on mammograms, or locate abnormalities in dense breast tissue that mammograms might have missed. A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to produce a detailed computer-generated image of the breasts' internal structures and density without the use of radiation or magnetic technology.

Why do I need an ultrasound after a mammogram?

Ultrasound breast imaging is more effective at detecting fluid-filled cysts and cancers from dense tissue, which can be difficult to see through mammography. If you have dense breast tissue it is a good idea to get an ultrasound. In the event that you feel a lump in your breast or a mammogram shows one, your provider may recommend that you get an ultrasound to better understand whether it belongs to a cyst (usually not cancerous) or to a solid mass that requires further investigation and a potential breast cancer diagnosis

Is an ultrasound better than a mammogram?

Mammograms are very valuable tools and have many use cases, but breast ultrasounds offer a radiation-free, short, safe, and easy method of obtaining additional breast images. They are good for screening and the diagnosis of lumps, skin changes, areas of focal pain, and nipple discharge, all of which can be early signs of cancer. They are also useful in the characterization of imaged findings seen on mammograms and other imaging studies. Moreover, breast ultrasounds have proven helpful for women with dense breasts, pregnant women, and those who need to drain cysts. At Eve Wellness, we use advanced ultrasound technology for screening.

What to expect at a breast ultrasound?

Our goal at Eve Wellness is to provide breast self-care services that are inviting, relaxing, comfortable, and accessible. We will ask you to fill out a patient health questionnaire upon arrival. We will then guide you to our ultrasound screening room, where you will change into a warm robe. Your clinical technician can address any questions about your specific breast cancer imaging study. Then, you will lie down and have ultrasound lotion applied to your breasts. Typically, patients receive three scans of each breast, with slight repositioning occurring between scans, lasting between 10-15 minutes. Following approval of the image quality by the technician, a physician will review them.

How to prepare for breast ultrasound?

Here are a few simple steps to prepare for your breast ultrasound at Eve Wellness. There is no need to stop eating or drinking before your test. You will change into a robe upon arrival, but we recommend that you do not wear a dress or one-piece. Instead, consider a two-piece outfit so that you can remove your top without needing to remove the bottom. On the day of your ultrasound, it is perfectly fine for you to apply lotion, powder, or deodorant to your breast. Unlike in a mammogram, these substances will not affect an ultrasound.

Which ultrasound is best?

We use some of the most advanced ultrasound breast screening technology available! All ultrasound services offered by Eve Wellness are FDA-approved. An Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound System (ABUS) will scan the whole breast, including the central breast and the axilla and then produce between 2,000 to 3,000 images. QView Computer Aided Detection (CAD) analyzes the final images using artificial intelligence (AI) technology and highlights areas needing attention. The scans are then delivered to a physician and examined further for the screening results.

What does breast cancer look like on ultrasound?

A tumor may appear dark gray on ultrasound, irregular, and have an indistinct border, along with small calcifications. Please be advised that this does not represent how all breast cancers appear on ultrasound.

How is a breast ultrasound done?

As soon as you enter the exam room, you will lie on your back and have a soothing lotion applied to your breasts. To obtain images of your breasts, the technician will use a transducer over your skin. Transducers emit soundwaves, which are so high-pitched you cannot hear them, and pick up the sound waves bounced back. Patients will undergo three breast scans with slight movement between each scan. Although breast compression is required during the scan, it is minimal compared to a mammogram. You can expect to spend 10-15 minutes on this test portion.

How long does breast ultrasound take?

The time spent in the exam room receiving the ultrasound is approximately 15 minutes, but this can change on a case-by-case basis.

How accurate is ultrasound in detecting breast cancer?

Eve Wellness utilizes radiation-free technology, some of the most advanced and accurate on the market. The technology that Eve Imaging uses, ABUS imaging and QView CAD, have detected cancers that mammograms did not capture. In women with dense breast tissue, ultrasounds are particularly effective in detecting breast abnormalities. ABUS can improve diagnostic yield (in cancers/1,000 women screened) by up to 50%. When combined with mammographic imaging, automated breast ultrasound increases cancer detection by 3.2 incidents per thousand women screened.

How much does a breast ultrasound cost?

There is a $350 fee for each screening, which includes the service of an experienced physician reading the scans and providing results.

What does a breast ultrasound show?

A breast ultrasound can help your healthcare provider determine if there are any breast problems. Specifically, an ultrasound can reveal the location and size of lumps and if they are fluid-filled cysts or solid masses requiring further diagnostic testing.

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