Breast Assessment
NE Calgary

Saddletown Radiology is committed to your overall health and well-being. That is why we are pleased to provide comprehensive and state-of-the art diagnostic options for the assessment of breast abnormalities. The prevalence of breast cancer makes it crucial to take the necessary steps to assess the health of your breasts. If any abnormalities are found, the goal is to start treatment at the earliest and most treatable stage. Saddletown Radiology is pleased to offer a number of Breast assessment methods, including mammograms, 3D tomosynthesis, ultrasound, and biopsies/aspirations. Our all-in-one breast imaging means we are able to provide patients the ease and convenience of having all required diagnostic imaging done in one place.

While a traditional mammogram creates two-dimensional images of the breast, a new type of mammogram called a 3D Tomosynthesis or 3D Mammogram, combines multiple 2D breast X-rays to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast. 3D Tomosynthesis is used to look for breast cancer in people who have no signs or symptoms. It can also be used as a diagnostic tool for those who are having breast cancer symptoms. 3D Tomosynthesis enhances the ability of traditional mammograms to detect early breast cancers or other breast pathologies, because it can look at multiple layers of the breast in a 3D image, ultimately filling in the gaps that traditional mammograms suffer from. A 3D Tomosynthesis therefore decreases the number of women called back for false alarms or additional tests for findings that are not cancers. For women who do have a real finding at a screening that requires a follow-up, many may be able to avoid additional mammograms and simply have an ultrasound, since screening 3D Tomosynthesis serves to pinpoint and characterize abnormalities, which means additional testing is reduced.

If your mammogram and/or ultrasound shows an abnormality, or if there is a mass or lump felt in the breast, a breast biopsy may be required in order to definitively characterize a finding. A breast biopsy is a small piece of breast tissue that is removed and checked in a lab to determine whether it may be cancerous. Most biopsies prove benign (non-cancerous). The tissue may be removed with a special biopsy needle. Needle aspiration is generally recommended when it is thought that the lump may be a cyst, which is a fluid-filled sac. Aspirations are carried out with a small hollow needle that is placed into the lump or area of concern, with the fluid that is removed sent to the lab for analysis. Local freezing is used to ensure that you remain comfortable throughout the procedure, and the procedure is usually done with ultrasound guidance.