The Question Many Women are Asking: Do I Really Need a Mammogram or Will an Ultrasound Do?
Is a mammogram essential, or can a breast ultrasound serve as an alternative for breast cancer screening? Many women may be thinking a breast ultrasound would be simpler and less intimidating than a mammogram, especially when they remember the gentle wand used during pregnancy ultrasounds. If you’ve had similar thoughts, you’re not alone. At CRL Women’s Imaging, we hear this question all the time—here’s what you should know:
Why Your Mammogram is Your Best Friend
Think of a mammogram as the gold standard in breast cancer screening. It’s like having superhero vision for your breast health. While ultrasounds are amazing tools, mammograms can detect things that ultrasounds simply cannot—especially those tiny calcium deposits (we call them microcalcifications), which are often the earliest sign of breast cancer.
Mammograms create a detailed map of your breast tissue, capturing subtle changes that might be too small for other imaging methods to catch. In fact, mammography catches 85% to 90% of breast cancers. That’s why mammograms are recommended as your first step in routine breast cancer screening.
Mammogram vs. Ultrasound: What’s the Difference?
|
What You Want to Know |
Mammogram |
Ultrasound |
| What’s it recommended for? | Your annual screening exam or diagnostic imaging if requested by your healthcare provider. | Taking a closer look at something specific your provider found or was detected on your mammogram requiring additional imaging. |
| What can it detect? | Tiny calcium spots and lumps (even really small ones!) | Fluid-filled cysts and whether a lump is solid or not |
| What might it have difficulty detecting? | Dense breast tissue can make it more challenging to detect breast cancer. | Cannot detect tiny calcium spots that might be early cancer signs |
| Does it use radiation? | Yes, but it’s a very tiny amount (less than a chest X-ray) | No radiation |
| Does it check my whole breast? | Yes! Gets a complete picture of both breasts | No, it focuses on specific areas your doctor wants to examine |
| How does it feel? | Brief compression (squeezing) for a few seconds | Comfortable – just like the ultrasound you might have had during pregnancy |
Getting the Right Care in the Right Order
Understanding the right order of breast imaging is your superpower. Mammograms are the only screening method that’s been proven in large studies to save lives by detecting breast cancer early. Radiologists use your baseline mammogram as a starting point, comparing it to future mammograms to spot any changes over time.
If your mammogram shows something that needs a closer look, that’s when ultrasound becomes your teammate. Ultrasound is perfect for examining specific areas of concern, especially in women with dense breast tissue, or for telling the difference between fluid-filled cysts and solid lumps. But it’s not a replacement for mammography—it’s a helpful partner.
When Ultrasound Steps In to Help
Breast ultrasound is often used as an extra tool, not a replacement. It’s most helpful for:
- Taking a closer look at areas your mammogram flagged
- Checking lumps in women with dense breast tissue
- Determining if a lump is solid or filled with fluid
Ultrasound cannot detect tiny calcium deposits—one of the earliest signs of breast cancer—and doesn’t provide a complete picture of your entire breast.
The Gap That No One Wants
Skipping your mammogram and going straight to ultrasound creates a gap in your breast health care. Without mammograms as your starting point, your healthcare team is missing important information about your breast tissue patterns and any subtle changes that might be developing over time. Your breast health deserves the complete picture that only proper screening can provide.
Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines: What You Need to Know
CRL Women’s Imaging is proud to be recognized as a Breast Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). We follow the latest breast cancer screening guidelines from the ACR and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) to ensure our patients receive the highest standard of care.
Screening Recommendations for Women at Average Risk
Understanding the right time to begin breast cancer screening can feel overwhelming, but the guidelines are more clear than ever. Here’s what current research tells us about mammogram timing:
Starting at Age 40: All women should begin annual mammogram screening at age 40 and continue every year thereafter. This recommendation is based on compelling evidence that earlier, consistent screening is more likely to detect cancer when it’s most treatable.
Continuing Through Age 74 and Beyond: Women should maintain their annual screening routine as long as they’re in good health with a life expectancy of at least 5-7 years. Age alone shouldn’t determine when to stop screening—your overall health and personal preferences matter most.
Risk Assessment by Age 25: Every woman should undergo a comprehensive breast cancer risk assessment by age 25. This evaluation helps determine whether you might benefit from earlier or additional screening based on your individual risk factors.
Key Updates from ACR/SBI Guidelines
Recent advances in breast cancer research have shaped updated recommendations that could save more lives:
Annual Screening Makes a Difference: The latest studies confirm that yearly mammograms provide significantly greater reduction in breast cancer deaths compared to screening every two years. Consistency matters when it comes to early detection.
Early Risk Assessment Saves Lives: Getting a risk assessment by age 25 is particularly important for Black women and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, populations that may face higher risks and benefit from earlier screening protocols.
Technology Advances Detection: For women with dense breast tissue—which affects nearly half of all women over 40—digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) significantly improves our ability to detect cancer compared to traditional 2D imaging.
Special Considerations Require a Personalized Approach
Breast cancer doesn’t affect all women equally, which is why personalized screening approaches are essential:
Earlier Screening for Higher-Risk Groups: Black women and other minority populations face higher rates of aggressive breast cancers before age 50. These patients should work closely with their healthcare provider to determine whether earlier screening would be beneficial.
High-Risk Women Need Enhanced Screening: Women with strong family histories, genetic predispositions (such as BRCA mutations), or other significant risk factors may require supplemental screening such as breast MRI or Ultrasound beginning as early as age 25-30.
Survivors Require Ongoing Vigilance: Women with a personal history of breast cancer should continue annual mammograms and may also benefit from supplemental imaging surveillance, depending on their specific situation and treatment history.
What to Expect and Next Steps
Every woman should be aware about what to expect when getting a mammogram. It’s important to understand what mammography can and cannot do, why it is your first line of defense in the early detection of breast cancer, and why women with higher risk factors may need additional imaging as part of their screening plan.
CRL Women’s Imaging: Premier Breast Care for Women in the Twin Cities Metro Area
Located in Edina and proudly serving women throughout the Twin Cities Metro Area and beyond, CRL Women’s Imaging brings together board-certified breast imaging specialists who are wholly dedicated to your care. As a recognized Breast Center of Excellence, we offer comprehensive diagnostic services that include 3D Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (3D mammography), traditional digital mammography, breast ultrasound, advanced biopsy services, and cyst aspiration procedures.
Our commitment to using the latest diagnostic technology has significantly improved patient outcomes. By making 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) our standard of care, we are able to identify subtle cancers that might be missed by traditional 2D mammograms. This advanced approach allows for earlier detection, giving patients more treatment options and a better chance for successful outcomes.
Trust the Process, Trust Yourself
Understanding your doctor’s recommendations is about becoming an informed partner in your own health care. When you know why 3D mammograms are the standard of care and how ultrasounds support that process, you can approach your screening with confidence and peace of mind.
From the moment you step into our clinic, our dedicated staff, technologists, and radiologists are here to ensure you receive exceptional care and support.
Your Next Step
This summer, as you strive to be the best version of yourself, don’t overlook the importance of prioritizing your breast health. Taking control of your well-being is one of the most impactful forms of self-care you can embrace. Start with the essential step: schedule your mammogram today to ensure you receive the most thorough and effective breast health care available. Empower yourself and make your health a priority!
Ready to prioritize your breast health? Schedule your mammogram online at consultingradiologists.com/womens-imaging/ or call us at 952-915-4320. Early detection saves lives—don’t wait!
Don’t forget to ask about our “Bring A Friend” mammogram appointments—because supporting each other makes self-care even more meaningful.
About CRL Women’s Imaging
CRL Women’s Imaging is a leader in outpatient imaging and designated as Breast Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Our team of dedicated, board-certified breast imagers with broad expertise and a genuine interest in breast imaging and our knowledgeable technologists certified in mammography and ultrasound are committed to provide our patients with the high-quality compassionate care they can trust.
“Early detection of breast cancer saves lives. And with the tools of 3D mammography/tomosynthesis and supplemental screening breast ultrasound we are better equipped than ever to positively impact women’s health.”
– Jillian Karow, MD, Medical Director, CRL Women’s Imaging