Can ultrasound be used to screen for breast cancer?

I am 45 years old and planning to have a cancer screening. Can an ultrasound detect breast cancer? (Ngoc Loan, Can Tho)

Reply:

Breast cancer screening involves looking for abnormalities in the breasts of asymptomatic individuals, such as lumps or nipple discharge. Imaging techniques like ultrasound, mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help doctors identify breast abnormalities and screen for breast cancer.

Ultrasound is a method that uses high-frequency sound waves to penetrate breast tissue. Images of the internal structures of the breast are formed by the reflection of the ultrasound waves. It is a common, non-invasive, low-cost method that does not harm the human body.

This method can be applied to people of all ages, and it is more effective in screening and diagnosing dense breast tissue, which is a limitation for women who have difficulty with mammography screening.

Some breast tissue abnormalities are only visible on specific ultrasound, mammography, or MRI scans. The doctor's recommendations vary depending on the patient's age. For women under 40, ultrasound is commonly used to detect breast tissue abnormalities. For women 40 and older, a combination of mammography and ultrasound is recommended.

When identifying abnormalities in breast tissue, based on morphological features such as smooth or irregular borders, presence of papillae, and firm or soft elasticity, the doctor will classify the lesion as potentially malignant or benign. Then, the imaging and breast surgery specialists will discuss and decide whether a biopsy is necessary to determine malignancy.

With advancements in science and technology, successive generations of ultrasound machines have improved image quality and upgraded probes with multiple functions (elasticity testing, microvascular imaging, etc.), helping doctors obtain more accurate images. However, ultrasound alone is not enough for breast cancer screening.

You should get screened for breast cancer. Depending on your current condition, your doctor may order ultrasounds in combination with other imaging techniques such as mammography and MRI for effective cancer screening.

Master of Science, Doctor Huynh Ba Tan
Breast Surgery Department, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Readers can ask questions about cancer here for doctors to answer.

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