Breast Cancer Screening Specialist

Who is a good candidate for automated whole breast ultrasound?

Whole breast ultrasound can be used as an adjunct to regular mammograms on any woman to gain a clearer picture of her breast tissue, but the technology was specifically designed for women with dense breast tissue or breast implants. For these women, obtaining clear, accurate, detailed images of breast tissue with a mammogram alone has been difficult. That's because the implants or dense tissue are more difficult to penetrate with traditional mammogram technology. SonoCiné was developed to painlessly visualize breast tissue regardless of density or implants, producing clear, accurate, detailed images so women can feel confident about their diagnoses.

I don't have a family history of breast cancer; do I still need to be screened?

Yes; research shows about 85 percent of breast cancers develop in women who don't have a family history of the disease. Instead, these cancers develop as a result of genetic mutations and natural changes that occur as the body ages. Having an ultrasound in addition to your mammogram provides more in-depth information about your breast tissue so cancers can be caught early.

What is the procedure like?

Dr. Kelly developed the SonoCiné approach to be painless and stress-free. If you've ever had an ultrasound, you know just what to expect during a SonoCiné breast cancer screening: A special gel will be applied to the exterior of your breast and a handheld device called a transducer will be used to apply gentle pressure while being moved across the breast's surface. The device emits painless sound waves that “bounce off” breast tissue to create images that can be viewed on a monitor. The procedure takes about a half hour or less.