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Stanford Health Care

Risks of Breast Imaging

Our Approach to Breast Imaging and Biopsy

The Stanford Breast Imaging and Biopsy team provides you with outstanding screening, diagnostic, surgical, and support services. As an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, our experts focus primarily on breast health, and cancerous and noncancerous breast disease, including breast cancer in women and men. We use the most advanced technology and give you the subspecialty expertise of Stanford's world-renowned Department of Radiology.

Our team performs about 10,000 screening and diagnostic mammograms for breast cancer annually and sees hundreds of patients who are already diagnosed and transferring their care to Stanford. Stanford offers medical and surgical oncology, radiation therapy, breast reconstruction, surviviorship care, and access to clinical trials in a compassionate, patient-centered environment.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU FOR BREAST IMAGING & BIOPSIES

  • Breast cancer screening and detection expertise that comes from our exclusive focus on breast cancer and diagnostic experience.
  • Fewer tests and greater accuracy with techniques and expertise that ensure we correctly interpret your results to identify the best treatment plan for you.
  • Leaders in imaging innovation, including doctors who are renowned for developing new uses of MRI, digital mammography, and tomosynthesis.
  • Access to the latest imaging technology, including the latest MRI models, digital mammography, and ultrasound technology.
  • Integrated, collaborative care where we work weekly with your chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation doctors, when appropriate, to create your customized treatment plan.
  • Convenient locations and hours, providing high quality, advanced imaging services with evening and weekend hours for your busy schedule.

What Is Breast Imaging & Biopsy?

Risks of Breast Imaging

Mammography risks

The benefits of mammograms usually far outweigh the risks, which are few, but may include:

  • Exposure to radiation, but at very low levels
  • Misinterpreted or inconclusive results, which may require further tests
  • Possibility that some cancers that may go undetected

Ultrasound risks

Breast ultrasound is safe and painless. Ultrasound imaging does not use X-rays and no known risks exist for this procedure.

MRI risks

Generally, MRI is a safe procedure. Possible risks may include:

  • Slight discomfort from the injection of a radioactive substance
  •  Allergic reaction to the contrast or radioactive substance used in the exam

If you are pregnant, generally you should avoid MRI during the first three months of pregnancy. An MRI may have negative effects on a fetus. We usually perform ultrasound exams for pregnant women, unless your doctor suspects a serious condition that MRI can best capture. We consider an MRI if there is a substantial risk of missing the correct diagnosis without it.

If you are breastfeeding, you should inform your radiologist and ask how to proceed.  

Our Clinics

Radiology
Utilizing state-of-the-art technology Stanford Medicine Imaging maintains the highest standards of clinical excellence in a caring environment.
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RELATED CLINICS

For a full list of diagnostic and imaging clinics, visit our clinic directory.