Ultrasound

It is often recommended to help clarify findings from other imaging or to look more closley at a specific area. Ultrasound is a routine, non-invasive procedure and is used across many areas of care.

What an ultrasound is

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of tissues inside the body.
It does not use radiation and is widely used to help doctors better understand what they are seeing on other tests.

An ultrasound may be recommended on its own or as a follow-up to another imaging study.

Why an ultrasound may be recommended

An ultrasound may be suggested to:

• Look more closely at an area seen on a mammogram
• Help distinguish between different types of tissue
• Guide further care or decisions, if needed

Being referred for an ultrasound does not automatically mean something serious has been found. It is often part of a careful, step-by-step approach to understanding imaging results.

What to expect

During an ultrasound:

• A trained technologist will guide you through the process
• A small amount of gel is applied to the skin
• The examination is usually brief and painless
• You can ask questions at any point

No special preparation is usually required, unless your care team advises otherwise.

Results and next steps

Images are reviewed by qualified specialists and shared with your referring doctor, who will discuss the results with you.

If additional imaging or follow-up is recommended, your care team will explain what that means and what happens next.