Breast ultrasound, also called a sonogram, is a painless, noninvasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures of your breast tissue.
A breast ultrasound does not replace a mammogram for routine screening. It’s often used in addition to mammography to get a more detailed view of your breast tissue — especially if you have dense breasts, symptoms, or your mammogram shows a mass or abnormality.
Because ultrasound uses sound waves, there's no radiation exposure. At UPMC, we use the most up-to-date ultrasound technology. Our highly trained imaging technologists are experts at capturing high-quality ultrasound images.
After your mammogram, your doctor might refer you for a breast ultrasound to get a better image of your breast tissue. Breast ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time pictures of your breast tissue.
Ultrasound machines consist of a:
During the exam, the transducer sends sound waves into your body. These waves bounce off the organs and structures inside your body, creating echoes that the transducer picks up. The ultrasound machine then converts these echoes into an image.
Your doctor may refer you for a breast ultrasound if:
Ultrasound can find some cancers not seen on a mammogram, but it also shows many false alarms that are not cancer and that may require additional testing.
Your radiologist may recommend a breast ultrasound to:
You may be a candidate for a breast ultrasound if your doctor needs a clearer view of your breast tissue because you have dense breasts, symptoms, or receive an abnormal result on a mammogram.
Breast ultrasound is the first test used to assess breast symptoms for patients under the age of 30 years. In women age 30 and over, a mammogram is typically performed first if the patient is not pregnant.
A breast ultrasound does not replace a mammogram for routine screening. It’s often used in addition to mammography to get a more detailed view of your breast tissue — especially if you have dense breasts, symptoms, or your mammogram shows a mass or abnormality.
Ultrasound is typically the first test done to evaluate symptoms in women under age 30. Over age 30, a mammogram is usually performed first (if you are not pregnant).
No. A normal ultrasound doesn't mean you can skip mammograms. Breast ultrasound is an important tool, but it is just one piece of a multimodal approach to breast care that also includes mammography, MRI (if needed), and clinical exams.
Breast ultrasound does not use radiation and there are no known side effects related to ultrasound imaging.
There are no restrictions and nothing you need to do to prepare for a breast ultrasound.
If you have had a mammogram performed at another facility, you must have your images sent to your UPMC imaging provider. You can also get a copy and bring them with you to your appointment. Your sonogram cannot be performed without these images for reference, and your appointment will be rescheduled if you do not bring them.
If your previous mammogram or other breast imaging was performed at a UPMC facility, your provider should be able to access your images.
Focused breast ultrasound to get a more detailed view of a specific area typically takes only a few minutes. A screening breast ultrasound typically takes about 30 minutes.
A breast ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive exam, so you will not need any type of anesthesia. You will be asked to lie on your back or side with your arm raised on an exam table near the ultrasound machine.
During the test, your ultrasound technologist will:
Although the exam is not painful, the pressure from the transducer might feel firm in some areas.
Your technologist cannot give you the results of your ultrasound examination until your radiologist reviews your images. Your radiologist may also want to scan your breast or underarm.
You can resume your normal activities immediately after your breast ultrasound.
You may be asked to wait while your images are reviewed by a board-certified breast radiologist. Your radiologist will review your ultrasound images together with your prior breast imaging and may rescan your breast. This is not unusual, so you should not be alarmed if it happens.
If you are having a diagnostic ultrasound due to symptoms or an abnormality, you will receive results and recommendations at the time of your appointment. If you are having a screening ultrasound, results will be sent to your healthcare provider and you will receive a letter.
You can also access your results through your UPMC patient portal. If you have any questions about your results, you can contact your doctor’s office via the portal or by phone.
You should not experience any complications after your ultrasound.
When you choose UPMC for breast ultrasound, you will receive:
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-08-28.
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