Breast Ultrasound / Advanced Breast Cancer Screening

A breast ultrasound is recommended in the following situations:

• For younger women with an increased risk of breast cancer
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding, as it involves no radiation exposure
• To clarify specific findings or differentiate between benign and malignant lumps
• For women with dense breast tissue to better visualize structures that may not be visible in a mammogram
• For monitoring during breast cancer follow-up care
• From age 45, to optimize breast cancer screening by alternating between ultrasound and mammography every two years

Can breast ultrasound replace mammography?

No. Only mammography can detect microcalcifications, an early sign of breast cancer. Additionally, mammography is better suited for providing an overall view, which is crucial for identifying new changes between two screening appointments. Since both methods highlight different aspects, the combination of the two contributes to an optimized screening approach.