What Is Breast Imaging?
Breast imaging is how we check for signs of breast cancer. By using tools like mammograms, ultrasounds and MRIs, we can view detailed images of your breast tissue to spot even the smallest changes — usually before you notice anything is wrong.
And when breast cancer is found early, treatments are often simpler. For example, you might need a smaller surgery (like a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy) and may even be able to avoid additional treatment like radiation and chemotherapy.
That’s why we recommend starting yearly screenings at age 40, so we can detect breast cancer as early as possible, when it’s most treatable.
The RUSH MD Anderson Cancer Center Approach to Breast Imaging
Whether it’s your first mammogram or your 10th, we understand that breast cancer screening can feel overwhelming. That’s why our breast imaging specialists take the time to understand you and your unique needs.
When you come in, a breast imaging technologist will ask about your personal and family health history. We consider every detail to choose the most effective screening option for you, so we can provide the care and reassurance you deserve.
We also make it easy for you to access expert care close to home by offering breast screening and diagnostic services at many Chicago-area locations including Chicago, the South Loop, Oak Park, Oak Brook, Lisle and Aurora.
Personalized Breast Cancer Screening at RUSH MD Anderson
Meet our breast imaging providers
Advanced Screening Options for Breast Imaging at RUSH MD Anderson
While mammography remains the gold standard for breast imaging, your screening plan may include any of the following advanced screening options:
- Digital mammography (2D mammogram), which involves a breast X-ray that creates two-dimensional images of each breast to screen for cancer.
- Tomosynthesis (3D mammogram), which involves taking multiple images of each breast from different angles to create a detailed 3D image. It allows our breast imaging specialists to evaluate the entire breast. And it is especially helpful for women with dense breast tissue, where cancers might be hidden on a traditional 2D mammogram.
- Automated breast ultrasound (ABUS), which is designed for women with dense breast tissue. The large ultrasound device scans the entire breast, offering a more comprehensive view than a traditional handheld ultrasound. This allows the breast radiologist to interpret 3D ultrasound images of both breasts. Ultrasound is able to pass through the dense tissue, which can hide some cancers on a mammogram.
- Diagnostic mammography, which is used to evaluate specific breast concerns, such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge. It is also performed after breast cancer surgery or during a comprehensive evaluation for a current breast cancer diagnosis.
- Breast MRI, which uses magnetic fields to create detailed images of the breast. This highly sensitive exam is recommended for women at higher risk of breast cancer or for diagnosing and staging cancer. RUSH MD Anderson offers a fast MRI, which takes less than 10 minutes and is the gold standard for sensitive breast cancer screening.
- Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM), which combines a mammogram with an IV contrast dye to provide clearer images of breast tissue. For some women, it can be a good alternative to a breast MRI. CEM is also highly effective at finding cancer in dense breast tissue or for those with a history of breast cancer.
Personalized Breast Cancer Screening at RUSH MD Anderson
When you come to RUSH MD Anderson for breast imaging services, you will be asked if you want to participate in risk assessment. This helps us personalize your breast screening plan based on your unique needs and risk factors.
This comprehensive breast cancer risk assessment uses your personal and family history, breast density and other characteristics to determine your level of risk and identify whether you qualify for additional imaging or genetic testing.
If your risk is average, we will recommend an annual 3D mammogram to ensure the most accurate screening. For women with dense breast tissue or other risk factors, we may include supplemental imaging, such as automated breast ultrasound (ABUS). This advanced option allows us to detect breast cancer that might be hidden by dense tissue.
For those identified as high risk, we provide an extra layer of support. Our nurse navigators will guide you through every step of your care plan, ensuring you understand your options and feel supported throughout the process. You may also be referred to our high-risk clinic or our genetic counselors for further evaluation. The most sensitive imaging options like fast breast MRI and CEM may also be offered for supplemental screening, so cancer can be found at its earliest stage.
What to Expect During Breast Imaging
A mammogram is a simple and quick exam that doesn’t need much preparation. When you arrive for your screening appointment, your breast imaging technologist will guide you to a private room and ask questions about your health history, family history and any current breast concerns or symptoms.
During the screening, your breast imaging technologist will take two images of each breast using gentle compression for a brief moment. Once your mammogram is complete, you can return to your day. Next, your doctor will get a detailed report of your mammogram, and you’ll receive a letter or a message via MyChart with your results.
In some cases, additional diagnostic imaging may be needed. And, rarely, if a biopsy is recommended following your diagnostic imaging, your breast imaging physician will offer a range of advanced, minimally invasive biopsy options.
Excellence in Breast Imaging
- Finding breast cancer early: Of all breast cancers detected at RUSH MD Anderson, 85% to 90% are found at the earliest stages, when it is most treatable.
- ACR® Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center (CBIC): Our breast imaging centers in and around Chicago are designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers by the American College of Radiology.
- A leader in breast screening for dense breasts: If you have dense breast tissue, you have a higher risk of breast cancer. This also means it can be harder to detect small breast cancers with dense breasts using a digital mammogram alone. All of our breast imaging centers offer ABUS to women who have dense breast tissue. ABUS provides a three-dimensional reconstructed ultrasound image of your entire breast, which allows our breast imaging specialists to easily see through dense tissue. Adding ABUS to your annual breast cancer screening plan helps our ability to find small, invasive breast cancers when they are most treatable.
- A highly experienced team: Anyone who reads your mammogram at RUSH MD Anderson specializes solely in breast imaging. Our expert team is among the most experienced in the Chicago area, which means you can feel confident in the accuracy of your mammogram results.
- Collaborative care: Our breast imaging team works closely with the breast cancer team — which includes medical oncologists, breast surgeons, advanced practice providers and others — to create a personalized care plan just for you.
FAQs About Breast Imaging
Breast imaging, or breast cancer screening, can catch cancer early, when it’s easiest to treat. In fact, women who get regular breast screenings have a 40% lower risk of dying from breast cancer. Ultimately, it’s a simple step that could save your life.
The risk for breast cancer can be influenced by a combination of factors. These include age, genetic mutations, dense breast tissue, and a family history of breast cancer, among other factors.
We recommend starting yearly screenings at age 40. We also recommend that women don’t stop screening at any age. Even for women over 75, screening can cut the risk of dying from breast cancer in half.
One in six breast cancers is diagnosed between ages 40 and 50. For younger women, waiting two years between screenings could mean missing cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. That’s why annual mammograms are recommended starting at 40.
Research also shows that Black women have a higher risk of developing breast cancer at a younger age. Specifically, while 16% of white women diagnosed with breast cancer develop it between ages 40 and 50, 23% of Black women are diagnosed in that same age range.
Yes, it’s important that you get screened, as 75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history of it. That’s why regular screening is crucial for every woman.
Yes, breast imaging is safe. Mammograms use a very low dose of radiation — about the same amount you would get from taking a trip on an airplane. The benefits of early detection far outweigh the risk.
Your images are read by a team of highly trained breast imaging specialists, who focus solely on breast exams and biopsies. They analyze and provide your results, so you can get the answers you need to make the best decision for you.
If your mammogram results show a potential issue, we call it incomplete. This just means we may need additional imaging, like a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound, for a closer look. Most of the time, follow-up results are clear, and you’ll return to your routine screening. If a biopsy is needed, our imaging specialists will explain the options and perform your biopsy. If the results are benign, no further action is needed. If cancer is found during your biopsy, we will connect you to our breast cancer team, who will support you through the next steps.
Yes, we can image women with breast implants. We use special techniques to ensure we can capture the breast tissue around the implants.
A screening mammogram is a routine X-ray of the breast used to detect potential signs of breast cancer in women with no symptoms.
A diagnostic mammogram is performed to further examine a specific area of the breast that may be of concern because of a lump, pain or nipple discharge, or if the results from a previous screening were identified as incomplete.
Yes. When you come in for a second opinion appointment with our breast team, one of our breast imaging specialists will carefully review your images and reports for a thorough, expert evaluation. We recommend bringing all previous imaging and materials to ensure the most accurate and comprehensive review.
U.S. News & World Report ranked ÍÑÒÂÖ±²¥ among the best in the nation for cancer care.
