ABUS Vs. Mammograms

Despite the pink ribbons and the marches, despite increased awareness and greater compliance with screenings, even despite better treatments, breast cancer still claims the lives of about 42,000 women in the United States every year. You don’t want to be one of them. 

That’s why you get your yearly screening mammogram. You know that early detection and treatment dramatically improves your odds of a long, cancer-free life. But, let’s face it, nobody likes getting their breasts squeezed between two metal plates once a year.

So, when you hear about automated whole-breast ultrasound (ABUS), you’re intrigued. Can you swap out that yearly cold squeeze for a relaxing half hour lying on an examination table and still feel secure that any cancer you may have is detected? 

At Mass Medical Imaging in Lake Forest, Illinois, we offer both screening mammograms and ABUS. Our expert doctors Joseph Calandra, MD, and Karen Mass, MD, rely on mammograms as the gold standard for early detection. However, you may sometimes need ABUS, too.

What are the differences between ABUS and mammograms? Can you choose? Here’s a brief summary of how these two imaging modalities help detect cancers early enough to treat.

Mammograms are the first-line screening

Unfortunately, even if you need an ABUS, you can’t switch out your mammogram for ultrasound. A mammogram is still the most accurate means of detecting cancer in women’s breasts. 

Mammograms use X-ray energy to look inside your breasts. Your breasts are composed of three types of tissue:

• Fat
• Glandular tissue
• Fibrous connective tissue

Mammograms help reduce breast cancer deaths among women aged 40-74 years. The benefit is greatest between ages 50-69. Unfortunately, if you have dense breasts with little fat, it’s more difficult to find cancer on a mammogram. That’s when your doctor might also recommend ABUS.

When you need ABUS

Women with a lot of fatty tissue in their breasts are usually fine with a mammogram alone. However, if you have dense breasts, the fibrous tissue that supports your breasts shows up as white, making it difficult to distinguish a tumor, which also appears white. Both glandular tissue and cancerous tissue absorb X-rays similarly.

As an adjunct screening, ABUS helps your doctors get a closer and more precise look at your breast tissue. Instead of using X-rays, ABUS utilizes the power of ultrasound — the same imaging technology that’s used to view a fetus in the womb.

Ultrasound bounces sound waves off of your organs. The waveforms they create as they bounce back creates real-time images that your doctor can view on a screen. 

An ABUS screening can improve cancer detection by 4-8% in women with dense, glandular breast tissue. The ultrasound can visualize vascularization in any lesions detected. It can even determine the “stiffness” of lesions and determine whether or not they’re likely to be malignant.

You can’t choose between mammogram and ABUS and feel confident that any cancerous tissue will be found. All women should undergo a mammogram first. Then, depending on how much dense breast tissue they have, an ABUS study may be an important add-on tool.

Get your next best test

Most important is to schedule your next mammogram. When you come and how often is determined by your age.

Are you at higher than average risk for breast cancer?

If breast cancer runs in your family, you may wish to start screening before the age of 40. One example of a higher-than-average risk is inheriting a BRCA-1 or -2 gene mutation. You may wish to continue with annual mammograms.

Are you between 40 and 44?

You have the option to start with an annual screening mammogram. The start-date for screening used to be 50. However, research has shown that starting at 40 offers better protection. 

Are you between 45 and 54?

The ages of 45-54 are critical for detecting cancer, as it’s the most at-risk age group. You should get a mammogram every year.

Are you 55 or older?

You can switch to biannual mammograms or remain with your yearly screening. You should continue to screen for breast cancer until you’re old enough where you don’t expect to live for more than another 10 years. 

Find out if you can benefit from the addition of ABUS, or if a regular mammogram is sufficient for your breasts by calling our friendly team or using our online appointment form.