Advanced Screening and Diagnosis

In addition to mammography, Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic hospitals also provide other screening and diagnosis tools.

Breast density

For women with very dense breast tissue, other screening methods for detecting breast cancer may be recommended in addition to 2D digital screening mammography. 3-D Mammography generates a more detailed image of the breast using reconstructed 2-dimensional images. This may be recommended instead of digital 2D screening mammography for some patients. Ultrasound is another tool that can greatly aid in cases of increased breast density. Hand-held ultrasound screening or automated whole breast ultrasound exams may also be recommended. MRI is another tool that can show very detailed images of the breast and can be helpful.

3-D breast ultrasound

Breast ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that are transmitted through breast tissue from a hand-held unit called a transducer. These sound waves bounce off breast tissues and create images recorded by a computer. No radiation is used, and minimal pressure on the breast is required. A breast ultrasound is useful in allowing a radiologist to distinguish between a breast cyst and a solid mass.