A gel is applied to the breast and a small probe glides over the skin, sending sound waves that build a live image on screen. It is often used alongside mammography, especially in younger women with dense breast tissue.
What ultrasound is for
- Checking a lump you felt or that imaging found
- Telling a fluid-filled cyst from a solid lump
- Guiding a biopsy needle precisely
- Examining the breast in younger, denser tissue
Ultrasound is safe during pregnancy, uses no radiation and takes about 20–30 minutes. On its own it is not the standard screening tool for all women, but it is a powerful diagnostic companion.