What is the difference between a mammography and a breast ultrasound? Which is the best method to screen for cancer?

Barbara C. Cavanaugh, MD

Academic Title: Clinical Associate Professor

Director, Breast Imaging

Board Certifications:
Radiology

The best method to screen for breast cancer is mammography. It is the only method that has been proven to reduce breast cancer mortality in women.

Ultrasound uses a different method of looking at breast tissue, with ultrasound waves instead of radiation. It can be very useful when used in combination with mammography, as sometimes the best method for evaluating a particular area in the breast requires evaluating the breast in different ways.