Screenings and Services

Ultrasounds use a hand-held transducer, or camera, to take pictures using sound waves. They’re best used to take a closer look at a specific area of concern. Ultrasounds can help determine if a lump or mass is fluid-filled or solid. It is also used to help see abnormalities during a biopsy.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a highly sensitive tool that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce highly detailed imaging of the breasts. It is used in addition to mammography for screening high risk women. It is also used prior to surgery to help better evaluate the extent of disease for women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer. In addition, it can be beneficial in determining if chemotherapy is working. There is no radiation from a breast MRI exam.

What to expect during your MRI scan:

Prior to the scan, you may eat or drink whatever you’d like and take any medications as usual.

The technologist will review your history and go over a questionnaire with you prior to imaging.

You’ll change from the waist up and the technologist will insert an IV.

You’ll be positioned on the MRI table face-down on your stomach. Your head will be cradled, like a massage table, and your arms will be positioned above your head in a swimmer’s pose.

It typically takes 20 minutes for the scan. Part of the way through, the technologist will administer the contract dye which may feel cold in your upper arm for a few seconds.

After the scan, the technologist will have you sit up and the IV will be removed.

Results from your scan will be made available to your ordering provider within one week. If there are any findings that require additional imaging, you will be notified by your ordering provider.

A core biopsy enables our physicians to diagnose findings detected on mammography, ultrasound or MRI. This procedure is designed to save women from undergoing unnecessary surgery. It is relatively painless and minimally invasive making it a faster and less traumatic alternative to traditional biopsy.

What to expect during your biopsy:

After our technologist has positioned you and has performed the necessary breast imaging, the physician will locate the area to be biopsied.
Your skin will then be cleansed with an antiseptic and the biopsy area will be numbed.
A small hollow needle will be inserted into the area of concern. You may feel some pressure as the device is positioned, but most women report feeling little or no pain.

Multiple tissue samples will be taken for microscopic examination to study the makeup of cells. You may hear a hum, beep, click or vacuum sound as the samples are collected.

The physician will insert a tiny titanium marker or clip at the biopsy site so that its exact location can easily be identified in the future. This marker poses no health or safety risk and you will not feel or notice it after placement.

A specialized test, called bone mineral density test, measures the density of bone in various parts of the body. The test used to measure bone density is known as the Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA). This measures the bone mineral density of the spine and hip.