Your comfort is an integral part of your healthcare. Knowing what to expect from a diagnostic test can reduce stress and help you take control of your health and wellness.

Whether you’ve scheduled a test or you are just doing your research, we are here to answer your questions.

Breast ultrasound

Ultrasound is one of the most common exploratory and diagnostic tests. It’s painless, widely available, non invasive and less expensive than other options. 

Your doctor may schedule you for a breast ultrasound to get a better look at a specific area that has been flagged on your mammogram or during your clinical exam. 

How it works

The ultrasound uses soundwaves to create images of your breasts that can be examined by our specialists. You are not exposed to radiation during an ultrasound.

There are several ways our specialized imaging experts can examine your breasts during an ultrasound:

• Distinguish between cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, and solid masses
• Collect evidence that helps tell the difference between benign and cancerous tumors
• Look for enlarged lymph nodes under your arm
• Find abnormalities that may be hidden inside dense, fibrous breast tissue
• Use the images to guide a needle during biopsy

Diagnostic mammogram

Mammography is a critical part of early detection. Screenings can find changes in your breasts up to two years before you or your doctor can feel them during an exam. 

That’s why we encourage you to have a mammogram each year, beginning at age 40. Finding and diagnosing early-stage breast cancer increases the likelihood of a cure as well as treatment that conserves your breasts.

*If you are at increased risk from a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, ask your healthcare provider whether you should begin annual mammogram screenings before age 40.

How it works

We offer the most sophisticated digital mammography available. Our 3-D mammogram, also known as tomosynthesis, takes multiple images of your breasts from several different angles. This allows our radiologists to examine your breast images, layer by layer. 

Your doctor may schedule you for a diagnostic mammogram to examine any changes or abnormalities in your breast tissue or if you are experiencing unusual nipple discharge.

There are several advantages to 3-D mammography: 

• Better imaging and examination for women with dense breast tissue
• Our experts can see the difference between normal fibrous breast tissue and potential masses that 2-D mammograms may miss
• Significantly reduces the need for additional breast cancer screening
• Lowest possible amount of radiation

Breast MRI

Our state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, can identify and diagnose breast tumors that other exams may not even detect. We also sometimes use MRI images to guide your doctor during a biopsy.

It is a critical and necessary exam for patients that have a high risk of breast cancer due to gene mutations or a strong family history. 

How it works

MRI technology uses magnets and radio waves to capture extremely detailed, three dimensional images of the inside of your breasts.

MRI is slightly more invasive than a mammogram because we use a contrast fluid, given through an IV, to increase visibility within your breasts.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends yearly screenings with mammogram plus breast MRI if you are at higher risk for breast cancer based on these factors:

• BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation
• A first-degree relative with a BRCA1/2 mutation
• Radiation treatment to the chest area between ages 10 and 30
• Li-Fraumeni, Cowden or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome (a p53 or PTEN gene mutation)
• ATM, CHEK2 or PALB2 gene mutation
• A lifetime risk of invasive breast cancer higher than 20 percent, based on family history.

Biopsy

Your doctor may schedule a biopsy when other diagnostic tests, including a mammogram and an MRI, find a tumor or other abnormality that could possibly be cancerous.

A breast biopsy is the removal and examination of suspicious tissue from inside your breast. A biopsy is the only way to confirm cancer in your breast, but having a biopsy does not mean you definitely have breast cancer. 

How it works

A sample of tissue from the suspicious area of your breast will be removed and looked at under a microscope by a doctor called a pathologist.

Our pathologist will then send your doctor a report with information about the tissue that was biopsied, including whether or not it is cancerous. The information in the report will be used to determine your treatment options and manage your health and wellness.

Your doctor may use an ultrasound or MRI as a guide during your biopsy. 

Biopsy procedures

There are several types of biopsies. The type of biopsy you may need will depend on your specific health situation, your personal preference and other factors you and your doctor should discuss together. 

Those factors include: 

• How suspicious the tissue may be
• The size of the tumor
• Where in your breast the tumor is located
• How many suspicious areas there are inside your breast
• Other medical concerns you may have

Your healthcare team is ready and available to answer any questions you may have and to go over the pros and cons of each type of biopsy. 

Fine needle aspiration biopsy: A thin needle — even thinner than needles used for blood tests — is inserted into the lump to remove a bit of fluid containing cells from the tissue.

Core biopsy: A needle with a special tip is used to remove a sample of breast tissue about the size of a grain of rice.

Vacuum-assisted core biopsy: This biopsy is performed with a probe that uses a gentle vacuum to remove a small sample of breast tissue.

Surgical biopsy: A small incision is made in the skin and breast tissue to remove all or part of a lump.

Lymph node biopsy: This surgical biopsy targets your lymph nodes and is done at the same time as your breast biopsy.

Your doctor may place a thin wire or tiny metal clip as a marker inside your breast once the tissue sample has been removed.

This very small marker cannot be felt inside your breast and should not cause problems in the future. It is used to easily find the area again during future mammograms or surgery.