Breast ultrasound is the main diagnostic scan used in one-stop breast clinics. Breast ultrasound sends harmless high-frequency sound waves through your breast and converts them into images on a screen. Ultrasound is not a stand alone screening test for breast cancer but is used as a complementary tool. If an abnormality is seen on mammography, or felt by clinical examination, ultrasound is the best way to find out if the abnormality is solid (such as a benign fibroadenoma, or breast cancer) or fluid-filled (such as a benign cyst).
Ultrasound can also be used to take a targeted biopsy from any solid lump within your breast to provide a very accurate diagnosis and help plan any surgery.