Breast Health - Diagnostics

Diagnostic imaging is an integral part of The Breast Center at Milford Regional. In most cases, it  is the first step. It’s a critical tool  for annual screening, early detection in high risk women and investigating  symptoms. It is also used during a woman’s treatment for breast cancer to evaluate the effectiveness of her  treatment.

Breast diagnostics at Milford Regional can be found on the fourth floor of The Hill Health Center where a full complement of advanced diagnostic technologies is offered. Depending on a woman’s age,  symptoms, and health history, one or more state-of-the-art diagnostics will be  used including:

3D Mammography

Milford Regional has recently invested in the most advanced technology in mammography.  3D mammography, also known as tomosynthesis, is a diagnostic and screening tool that allows radiologists to view your breast in multiple layers or slices creating a 3D image. 3D mammography compliments the 2D digital mammography and is performed at the same time. 

Milford Regional has been performing digital mammograms for years but with the addition of tomosynthesis and brand new, upgraded digital equipment, we are able to provide the radiologist with much better visibility of breast tissue.  The result is greater accuracy in finding breast cancer at its earliest stage as well as reducing call backs for another test when the radiologist wants a second look. Learn more about our mammography services.

Breast MRI

The breast MRI is another important imaging technique that  is utilized to evaluate women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, those with  dense tissue on mammograms and in patients who have a strong family history of  breast cancer. It can also be used to  determine the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments. For patients with breast cancer, the breast  MRI shows the cancer more clearly than a mammogram or ultrasound. It can also show a lesion that is benign,  saving the patient from an unnecessary biopsy.  Read more about breast MRI.

Breast Ultrasound

A breast ultrasound is most often used in patients with  lumps that can be felt or as a follow-up to an abnormal mammogram. The advantage to ultrasound is that there is  no radiation, it better characterizes cysts and is an excellent tool for  image-guided procedures. It is also  quick and painless.

Breast Biopsy

Radiologists perform ultrasound-guided and stereotactic  breast biopsies. These biopsies are  performed when there is a breast lesion that can’t be felt, an abnormal  mammogram or when there is a solid nodule found on ultrasound. Lumps that can be felt are usually biopsied  by a surgeon. However, the American  Cancer Society and the American College of Surgeons’ recommendation is to have  an image-guided biopsy initially because it is the least invasive, using a  smaller incision. It can usually be  scheduled quickly and is done as a day procedure.