Think Pinker

According to Canada.com, mammograms are the first line of defense, but if there have been any lumps large enough to fell, then the mammogram can be followed up with an ultrasound. The ultrasound is able to distinguish between a lump which is solid or a cyst. In fact, an ultrasound can diagnose a cyst with 100% accuracy meaning you can relax a lot sooner.

Ultrasound isn’t usually used for screening, however it is used to confirm a lump is cancerous. It cannot however, detect microcalcifications which are very earliest stage of breast cancer.

Ultrasounds are also used to help the radiologist guide the needle into a lump in the breast so that a needle biopsy can be done. These cells are then analyzed under a microscope.

How does an ultrasound work? This is a very comfortable test to have done. You’ll lie flat on a stretcher bed, turned just slightly onto your side. The tech will apply a water based gel on your skin. It will feel cool on your skin. The gel helps the probe move smoothly over the skin. The tech will apply a slight pressure on the probe. You’ll feel it but it does not hurt.

The ultrasound can quickly recognize lumpy tissue that is normal and it can also recognize abnormal lumps that are cancerous or pre-cancerous. That said, it is important to realize that not all lumps are visible with an ultrasound. That means even if the results are negative you should be closely monitored until your situations can be confirmed one way or another.

When there is an abnormality the ultrasound is an important secondary tool to be used in the line of defense in diagnosing breast cancer.