Breast Ultrasound FAQs

When it comes to cancer we are slowly but surely making breakthroughs in both the detection and the treatment of many different types of cancer. The real success story within that world is breast cancer which once had a high mortality rate but thanks to new treatments and the improvement of diagnosis rates, it now has a very lower mortality rate and that is something which we should all feel great about. One key procedure which is used in the detection of cancer cells in the breasts is a breast ultrasound, and if you have been asked to have one it may be little scary. For that reason we have put together some answers to the most frequently asked questions about this procedure.

Why Do I Need An Ultrasound?

An ultrasound may be required to check a lump which has been found on the breast, and more specifically to check with or not it is a solid lump, or a fluid-filled cyst. This will also help to check on younger women who have denser breast tissue which is not able to be seen through using a mammogram. Ultrasounds may also be used to monitor the growth of a fluid-filled cyst underneath the breast tissue or indeed to check for lumps in someone who has previously had breast augmentation, as the mammogram may not be able to see past the silicon implants.

Do I Need to Prepare?

There isn’t much that you need to prepare ahead of your ultrasound, the best advice is just to wear a two piece outfit so that you can easily undress your torso without having to take everything off.

What Happens?

The process is in fact very simple, a radiologist will ask you to undress above the waist, they will then rub gel on the area which they are looking to ultrasound in the same way that they would on your stomach if they were checking for a baby’s heartbeat. They will then place a transducer on the breast and this will pick up sound waves that will enable the radiologist to gain a clear picture of what is happening beneath the breast tissue. The entire process won’t take any longer than 15 minutes and after that you will get dressed and the radiologist will be able to talk to you about what, if anything, they have found.

Should I Be Worried?

With regards to the ultrasound you shouldn’t be worried at all, it is a very simple procedure which will be over and done with before you know it. In terms of additional worries about the results, it is important to stay positive and calm until you know what the results are. There is no point in getting worked up that something bad is going to happen because in reality you can’t know that until you have had a conversation with the radiologist.

Don’t panic, you are in the best hands and this is a procedure which will help you to move forward in one way or another.

 

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