Breast Ultrasound Package
The breast ultrasound package is designed to offer a low cost and comfortable way for women to receive the most comprehensive breast screening available.
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to form a picture (sonogram) of the inside of the breast tissue. It is painless, noninvasive and does not use ionizing radiation. A clear water-soluble gel is applied to the breast area and a handheld or automated device called a transducer is then moved over the tissue. A computer produces images based on the reflections of the tissues. The procedure lasts between 20 and 30 minutes.
Understanding the Benefits of a Breast Ultrasound Package
During the ultrasound, a Doppler technique may be used to evaluate blood flow in the area being studied. This can help determine whether a lump or other abnormality is solid (which may be a benign tumor) or fluid-filled (such as a cyst). Some ultrasound equipment also allows for assessment of tissue stiffness through the use of elastography.
If your mammogram shows a mass, your doctor will probably recommend an ultrasound. This can help the radiologist tell the difference between a fluid-filled mass such as a cyst (which is highly unlikely to be cancer) and a solid mass (which may require further testing to be sure it is not cancer). Ultrasound can also be used to guide a needle into a suspicious mass in order to sample the tissue for biopsy. This is called ultrasound-guided biopsy.
ABUS is a new technology that scans the whole breast without compression while the patient lays in a prone position. Unlike hand-held ultrasound, it does not require an accredited operator and provides radiologists with 3D volumetric images. This increased sensitivity, especially in women with dense breast tissue, can double the chances of earlier detection of cancer.