Women's Imaging
At Bay Imaging Consultants, we offer numerous women's imaging services to our patients in the Northern California area. Learn more about our procedures, preparation, and results.
Schedule Women's Imaging appointment
When it comes to breast health, quality medical imaging is essential for the most accurate results. Bay Imaging Consultants is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and professionalism. We are here for you and any of your medical imaging needs.
Mammography
Learn more about mammograms by reading about the procedure, preparation, and results.
Mammography is an imaging protocol to help detect early breast cancer. Mammograms are proven to find malignant tumors before they become clinically evident. The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports one out of every eight women in the U.S. will develop Breast Cancer. Early detection by way of mammography, regular self breast examination, and regular examination by a physician can significantly increase the chance of survival by up to 95%. The ACS recommends annual mammography for women over the age of 40.
Screening mammography is a radiological examination performed to detect unsuspected breast cancer in asymptomatic women. A screening mammogram is performed when there is no specific complaint.
Screening mammography is indicated for asymptomatic women 40 years of age or older. It is reasonable to institute screening mammography at an earlier age for high risk women. Symptomatic women and women with a previously detected abnormality, for whom short interval follow-up or further evaluation has been recommended, are not candidates for screening mammography.
Diagnostic mammography is a radiographic examination performed to evaluate patients who have signs and/or symptoms of breast disease, imaging findings of concern, or prior imaging findings requiring a specific follow-up.
• With a specific focus of clinical concern including, but not limited to, mass, induration, auxiliary lymphadenopathy, some types of nipple discharge, skin changes, or persistent focal areas of pain or tenderness.
• With a possible radiographic abnormality.
• Recommended for short-interval follow-up (e.g., less than 1 year) for probable benign radiographic findings as defined by the ACR Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS®) [8].
• Whose examination requires direct involvement of the radiologist for special views, physical breast examination, or consultation.
• Who have been treated for breast cancer. At the discretion of the facility, asymptomatic women may undergo screening or diagnostic mammography.
Preparation for your mammogram is important. If you have old mammograms done at another facility please bring them to the exam. Our Radiologist would like to compare the images. It is important that you describe any breast symptoms to the technologist before the study. Do NOT wear any deodorant, talcum powder or lotion on the upper body the day of the exam. If you might be pregnant inform the staff immediately.
Exam length is usually 10-20 minutes.
After your exam, the radiologist will review your images and a report will be sent directly to your physician. Reports are available within 24 to 72 hours.
Breast Ultrasound
Learn more about breast ultrasounds by understanding the procedure, preparation, and results.
The primary use of breast ultrasound today is to help diagnose breast abnormalities detected by a physician during a physical exam (such as a lump or bloody or spontaneous clear nipple discharge) and to characterize potential abnormalities identified on the mammogram. Ultrasound imaging can help to determine if an abnormality is solid (which may be a non-cancerous lump of tissue or a cancerous tumor) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst) or both cystic and solid. Ultrasound can also help show additional features of the abnormal area. Doppler ultrasound is used to assess blood supply in breast lesions.
Breast Ultrasound uses high frequency sound much like sonar to image the breast. It is used in conjunction with mammography to answer specific questions about the breast. Ultrasound is also utilized to locate a target area for a biopsy of the breast.
There is no preparation for this examination.
A breast ultrasound exam usually takes 15-30 minutes.
After your exam, the radiologist will review your images and a report will be sent directly to your physician. Reports are available within 24 to 72 hours.
Breast MRI
Get familiar with breast MRIs by learning more about the procedure, preparation, and results.
Breast MRI usually is performed when your doctor needs more information than a mammogram, ultrasound or a clinical breast exam can provide. In certain situations, such as when a woman has a very high risk of breast cancer, breast MRI may be used as a screening tool for detecting breast cancer. MRI of the breast is not a replacement for mammography or ultrasound imaging but rather a supplemental tool for detecting and staging breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. Medical studies are currently being conducted to determine whether a MRI and other imaging methods can contribute to the early detection of breast cancer.
A Breast MRI captures multiple pictures of your breast. Breast MRI images are combined, using a computer, to generate detailed pictures. Breast MRI may show abnormalities in the breast that do not appear on a routine mammogram or ultrasound. Breast MRI is primarily for women with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. It has also shown to be very helpful for women with breast implants to check for masses around the implant as well as leaking implants.
• Assess multiple tumor locations, especially prior to breast surgery
• Identify early breast cancer not detected through other means, especially in women with dense breast tissue and those at high risk for the disease
• Evaluate abnormalities detected by mammography or ultrasound
• Distinguish between scar tissue and recurrent tumors
• Determine whether cancer detected by mammography, ultrasound, or after surgical biopsy has spread further in the breast or into the chest wall
• Assess the effect of chemotherapy
• Provide additional information on a diseased breast to make treatment decisions
• Determine the integrity of breast implants
Breast MRI exams are usually 60 minutes long.
After your exam, the radiologist will review your images and a report will be sent directly to your physician. Reports are available within 24 to 72 hours.
