An ultrasound scan provides images of organs and soft tissues inside your body by using sound waves to make images. A breast ultrasound is an ultrasound of the breasts and is used in addition to mammography to help in diagnosis. Ultrasound is safe, non-invasive and does not use radiation. This test does not hurt.

Ultrasound imaging of the breast produces a picture of the internal structures of the breast. A breast ultrasound helps the radiologist understand whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass. It also helps to discern between benign and malignant lumps and guided biopsies.

You do not need to do anything to prepare for the ultrasound. This procedure requires no special preparation. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You will be asked to undress from the waist up and to wear a gown during the procedure.

It is usually completed within 15-20 minutes.

This test will show whether the breast change is a fluid-filled cyst (not cancer) or a solid tumor. After the test, the radiologist will let you know if you need to undergo a biopsy. Biopsy may be recommended to determine if a suspicious abnormality is cancer or not.

Follow-up examinations may be necessary. Your doctor will explain the exact reason why another exam is requested. Sometimes a follow-up exam is done to monitor an abnormality over time. Follow-up examinations are sometimes the best way to see if treatment is working or if a finding is stable or changed over time.

If you have an abnormal finding on your mammogram and ultrasound breast study, a biopsy will be recommended. A core biopsy involves taking small samples of tissue from the breast with a special biopsy needle called a core needle. This is a minimally invasive method to test an area of the breast tissue without requiring surgery. Ultrasound is used to help find the area that needs to be sampled. These samples are then sent to a pathology lab for testing.