Local Event: Breast Ultrasound Screening is Coming Direct to You!
Do more in the fight against breast cancer with access to breast ultrasound screening!
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with an estimated 281,550 new cases and 43,600 deaths in the United States in 2021. Early detection is key to successful treatment, and breast ultrasound screening is a valuable tool that can help find breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
What is Breast Ultrasound Screening?
Breast ultrasound is a painless imaging test that uses sound waves to create images of the breast tissue. It is often used to complement mammograms, which are X-ray images of the breast, because it can provide more detailed views of certain areas of the breast, such as dense breast tissue or areas where a mammogram has found a suspicious finding.
Benefits of Breast Ultrasound Screening
Breast ultrasound screening offers several benefits, including:
- Early detection: Ultrasound can help detect breast cancer at an early stage, when it is more likely to be treatable.
- Accuracy: Ultrasound is a highly accurate imaging test, and it can help to distinguish between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) breast lesions.
- No radiation exposure: Unlike mammograms, which use X-rays, breast ultrasound does not involve any radiation exposure.
- Complements mammograms: Ultrasound can provide additional information to mammograms, especially in women with dense breast tissue or women who have a high risk of breast cancer.
If you are at high risk for breast cancer, your doctor may recommend that you get a breast ultrasound in addition to a mammogram. Women with dense breast tissue may also benefit from breast ultrasound screening, as dense breast tissue can make it harder to detect breast cancer on a mammogram.
Who Should Get Breast Ultrasound Screening?
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer get regular mammograms starting at age 40. Women at high risk for breast cancer may need to start getting mammograms earlier and may also need to get breast ultrasounds. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and when you should start getting breast cancer screening tests.
How to Prepare for Breast Ultrasound Screening
There is no special preparation required for a breast ultrasound screening. You will be asked to remove your clothing and put on a gown. The ultrasound technologist will apply a warm gel to your breast and will use a handheld transducer to create images of your breast tissue. The procedure usually takes about 15-30 minutes.
What to Expect After Breast Ultrasound Screening
After your breast ultrasound, the technologist will review the images with you and will discuss any findings with you. If any suspicious areas are found, your doctor may recommend that you have additional tests, such as a biopsy.
Importance of Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer screening is an important part of a woman’s health care. If you are at average risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor about when you should start getting mammograms. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, your doctor may recommend that you get breast ultrasounds in addition to mammograms.
Upcoming Breast Ultrasound Screening Events
Breast ultrasound screening events will be held in the following cities on the following dates:
- Phoenix: Thursday, April 25th
- San Ramon: Thursday, April 25th
- Columbia: Wednesday, April 24th
- Bowie: Wednesday, April 24th
- Long Beach: Wednesday, April 24th
- Concord: Wednesday, April 24th
- Sarasota / Lakewood Ranch: Wednesday, April 24th
To schedule a breast ultrasound screening, please call 1-800-GET-SCAN.
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Mehek 
Divya