Diagnostic Mammography

• 3D mammography with greater level of detail and clearer view of tissue to help detect, locate, and determine breast issues.
• Low dose 3D mammography (tomosynthesis) is 40% more accurate in detecting invasive breast cancers compared to standard mammograms.
• Useful to
• detect, locate, and determine the stage of breast cancer, as well as assess the effects of chemotherapy,
  • determine the cause of breast pain, nipple discharge, thickening of breast skin, or changes in the size or shape of the breast,
  • distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumours,
  • evaluate the integrity of breast implants,
  • examine symptoms of a breast abnormality,
  • follow up from previous breast imaging,
  • investigate a possible abnormality shown on a screening mammogram.
  • Exam duration: 15 to 30 minutes.

Diagnostic Breast Ultrasound

• To see the internal structure of the breast.
• Useful to
• help determine the composition of a lump or area of concern,
• distinguish between a cyst, fibroglandular tissue, and a solid mass,
• assist with patients with extremely dense breast tissue (Volpara D),
• assist with patients with heterogeneously dense breast tissue (Volpara C) and a medical and/or family history of breast malignancy.
• A patient with a clinical concern (e.g. palp lump, focal pain in one breast) over the age of 35, will have a mammogram and an ultrasound. Under the age of 35, the patient will start with an ultrasound and then receive a mammogram if the radiologist indicates it is necessary.
• Exam duration: 30 minutes for unilateral (one breast) and 60 minutes for bilateral (2 breasts).

Breast Density Volpara Scores

• A – Almost entirely fatty: There is almost no dense tissue, which makes abnormalities easy to detect. About 10% of women are in this category.
• B – Scattered fibroglandular densities: Scattered areas of density, but most tissue is fatty. About 40% of women are in this category.
• C – Heterogeneously dense: More than half the breast is dense tissue. About 40% of women are in this category.
• D – Extremely dense: Nearly all the tissue is dense. About 10% of women are in this category. This may make it hard to see a cancer on a mammogram because the cancer can blend in with the normal tissue.