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Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Membership Benefits
ACS
For Patients

Breast Ultrasound

Ultrasound uses sound waves to show pictures of the breast. Ultrasound can show the difference between fluid-filled cysts and tumors. Cysts are usually not cancerous. Ultrasound does not use radiation. It may be used for women with dense breasts . It may also be used during pregnancy to reduce exposure to X rays.

An ultrasound is performed using a wand.  Image Credit: M_a_y_a / iStock / Getty Images
An ultrasound is performed using a wand. Image Credit: M_a_y_a / iStock / Getty Images

Keeping You Informed

It is important to be familiar with your breasts and to bring any concerns to your doctor.

About 1 in 10 women may be called back for more testing after a screening mammogram. Most (95%) do not have cancer. 3,75

An ultrasound helps locate small, invasive, node-negative cancers that may be missed during mammogram imaging.25 It is also used for women with dense breasts. Dense breasts make it difficult to see breast tissue clearly on a mammogram. Half of all women age 40 or older have dense breasts, and ultrasound may be needed. You are more likely to have dense breasts if you are younger, pregnant/breastfeeding, taking hormone replacement therapy, or have a lower body weight.77