Welcome to Breastnet in Scottsdale, Arizona

In our May 2009 Hot Flash, we discussed the difference between dense and fatty breasts and how the difference might affect you.

I mentioned in my message that density of the breast is an individual characteristic, as young women tend to have dense breasts and older women tend to have more of a fatty, or low-density breast. Women often convert from dense to intermediate to low density during the course of their lifetime, but it occurs at a different rate and at a different time for each woman.

In women with dense breasts, mammograms are more difficult to interpret because it can be difficult to "see through" the dense tissue. That is why we are very excited to announce that Breastnet is now offering screening ultrasound on our new SonoCine Whole Breast Ultrasound Machine. The SonoCine Method provides an additional examination, which finds small cancers that mammography may miss. It is not a replacement for screening mammography, but an additional exam for women with "dense" breasts.

Studies in dense-breasted women show that ultrasound can find cancers that may be invisible on a mammogram. The SonoCine method requires no breast compression, no injections, takes about 30 minutes to perform and is permanently recorded for our radiologists review.

Since we know that finding cancers when they are small saves lives, adding a screening ultrasound to your yearly breast health program provides extra peace of mind.

When you come in for your mammogram, Dr. Baker and I will let you know if you have dense breasts and if you are a candidate for this exam. The cost is $300 and the results of your exam are reviewed with you at the time of your appointment.

Let us know if you are interested in a screening ultrasound and we will let you know if this exam is right for you!

Best regards,

Belinda Barclay-White, MD