Penn Medicine offers advanced imaging options for the early and precise detection and diagnosis of breast diseases. Find answers to common questions about breast imaging, including 3D mammogram and breast MRI. 

Breast Imaging, Breast Ultrasound and Breast Biopsies

What is a breast imaging exam?

A breast imaging exam is used to detect and diagnose breast cancer and other breast conditions.

At Penn Medicine, we offer mammography (tomosynthesis or 3D mammography), ultrasound, breast MRI and nuclear medicine imaging to view the breasts and related areas. If cancer is detected, these tests can also help determine the type, stage and location of the cancer.

Learn about the breast imaging services available at Penn Medicine.

What are image-guided breast biopsies?

Sometimes, it is necessary to remove tissue or cells to test for the presence of cancer. This procedure, known as a biopsy, may be performed surgically or using image guidance.

Image-guided breast biopsies, which are, less-invasive procedures using only a needle to sample cells, are conducted by radiologists, uses ultrasound, MRI or mammography for guidance.

Can an ultrasound detect breast cancer?

Breast ultrasound is used in conjunction with other tests screen for breast cancer.

If an abnormality is seen on mammography or felt by physical exam, you may have an ultrasound to determine if the abnormality is solid or fluid-filled.

However, the ultrasound will not be able to determine if the abnormality is cancer. A breast biopsy may be used to determine whether cancer is present.

Who reads and evaluates the breast images?

A breast imaging radiologist, a physician trained in interpreting breast exams, will analyze the images and report findings to you and your doctor.

Mammogram and 3D Mammogram

What is mammography?

A mammogram is an x-ray that takes pictures of your breasts using a very small amount of radiation.

Digital mammography uses electronics, instead of film, to record and store breast images, so that pictures may viewed on a computer. Special software can detect abnormal areas on digital mammograms.

At Penn Medicine, all of our mammograms are 3D mammograms.

Why is mammography done?

Mammograms can be used for both screening and diagnostic purposes.

If you have no signs or symptoms of breast abnormalities, screening mammography may be used to proactively monitor for any changes to your breasts. The goal of screening mammography is to detect cancer before signs or symptoms are noticeable.

Diagnostic mammography is used to examine breast changes, including breast lumps, breast pain and nipple discharge. It can also be used to further evaluate the findings of a screening mammogram.

How do you prepare for a mammogram?

When having a mammogram, do not use deodorant, talcum powder or lotion on your breasts or underarms that day. These substances may interfere with the imaging.

You'll also be asked to remove jewelry, including any piercings, as well as clothing above the waist.

What happens during a mammogram?

During the test, the mammography unit compresses the breast for a few seconds as images are taken. Breast compression can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary to help ensure accurate images.

A technologist will help position your breast and make the study as comfortable as possible.

How early can a mammogram detect breast cancer?

Screening mammograms may detect breast cancer in people with no symptoms, or diagnose other breast diseases. About 10 percent of screening mammograms need additional imaging with either mammography or ultrasound. Those follow-up images usually turn out to be normal.

Diagnostic mammograms are used to evaluate a condition such as a breast lump or discharge.

How long does a mammogram take?

A mammogram usually lasts between 10 and 15 minutes.

How much does a mammogram cost?

The cost of a mammogram will depend on your insurance plan and provider.

The Penn Medicine Breast Health Initiative offers free mammograms to uninsured or underinsured women who are 40 or older.

Is a 3D mammogram better for dense breasts?

Studies have shown that dense breasts are more likely to develop cancer than those that aren’t dense. Breast density also may affect how breast cancer is detected by mammogram.

With traditional mammography images, fatty tissue looks dark, which makes it easier to spot cancer, which appears white. Dense breast tissue may also appear white, making the cancer harder to spot.

A study published in JAMA Oncology found that combining 3D mammography or breast ultrasound with regular screening mammograms can better detect cancer in dense breasts.

Is a 3D mammogram painful?

A 3D mammogram offers several benefits to traditional mammography, including increased comfort.

During your mammogram, pressure will be applied to your breast for a few seconds to spread out your breast tissue. This makes it easier to spot abnormalities.

While it may be uncomfortable, flexible plates on our 3D mammography machines help ensure less pain during compression. If you are in pain, please alert your technician.

Do 3D mammograms give false positives?

A 3D mammogram offers several benefits to traditional mammography, including increased comfort.

Mammography using 3D imaging (or tomosynthesis) has been shown to improve breast cancer detection and reduce the number of false positives when compared with traditional mammography.

Breast MRI

What is breast density?

There are three different types of breast tissue: fibrous, glandular, and fatty tissue.

Breast density compares the amounts of fibrous and glandular tissue to the amount of fatty tissue.

Breast density is detected by mammograms, and about half of women older than 40 have dense breasts, and about 1 in 10 women have extremely dense breasts.

Breast density can hide tumors and other abnormalities in the breast, making them more difficult to find and treat.

What is a breast MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create 3-D images. Breast MRI uses a dedicated breast coil that makes it easier to take clear and detailed images of the breast.

Breast MRI can be used to diagnose and stage breast cancer and other breast conditions. It is a non-invasive imaging test, which means no tools are used that penetrate your skin.

What happens during a breast MRI?

For most breast MRIs, you will need to get an injection of contrast, which is a solution that helps show the condition of the breast more clearly.

Your care team will place an IV in your arm before the study begins. Then, an injection of contrast agent will be given via the IV throughout the breast MRI.

During a breast MRI, you will lay face down on a table that moves through a tube-shaped structure where images of the breasts are created.

Breast MRI does not use radiation or X-ray exposure and is considered a non-invasive imaging test.

Our expert breast imaging radiologists will then interpret the study, and they will send the results to you and your doctor.

Why do I need a breast MRI in addition to my mammogram?

People with dense breasts have 3 to 5 times greater risk of developing breast cancer as compared to those without dense breasts.

A mammogram helps to detect cancer early, but it is not a perfect test. Dense tissue can hide breast cancers on mammograms, and recent studies have found that screening with Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MRI) in addition to regular mammography can improve detection of small, invasive cancers that may not be detected by mammography alone.

This is important because detecting breast cancer early means less treatment, as well as fewer or no breast cancer-related surgeries and improved survival.

What are the risks of MRI screening?

Like other tests, an MRI can sometimes result in false positives, where extra tests or biopsies are performed but no cancer is found. These extra tests could lead to additional costs following the MRI.

In rare cases, the dye used during MRIs can cause an allergic reaction.

Additionally, MRI machines can cause some people to feel claustrophobic, which means they feel discomfort or fear in closed spaces.

Does insurance cover breast MRI after a mammogram?

In January 2022, Pennsylvania passed a law that requires MRI screening to be covered by insurance for those with extremely dense breasts.

However, be mindful that you might be responsible for certain copay or co-insurance charges based on your specific insurance plan.

What costs may I be responsible for when getting a breast MRI?

It is important to note that even though full MRI screening is covered by insurance under Pennsylvania law for patients with extremely dense breasts, you might still be responsible for some costs depending on your specific insurance plan. 

Costs for patients who have private insurance plans can vary greatly, especially if your plan has a high deductible.

It is important that you check with your insurance plan before scheduling a breast MRI.

You can call Financial Clearance to discuss your specific costs at 267-414-2760 or contact the Patient Financial Advocacy team at PatientFinancialAdvocacy@uphs.upenn.edu or 215-662-3505.

How do I schedule a breast MRI?

To schedule your supplemental breast MRI screening, contact your primary care provider or OB/GYN and ask them to order a breast MRI screening.

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