Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis

Remarkable care and outcomes are the hallmarks of breast cancer care at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Here, you can expect the most progressive care approaches available.

We use a team approach to treat breast cancer that brings surgical, radiological, and medical oncologists together with plastic and reconstructive surgeons, physical therapists, and other specialists. This enables us to evaluate your cancer from every angle and create a treatment plan that gives you the best chance of a good outcome.

Take our breast cancer health risk assessment and learn whether you’re at higher risk for breast cancer and what what you can do to reduce your risk.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provides breast cancer screening services tailored to your needs. Your care typically starts with imaging studies, such as mammograms. If we find any suspicious tissue, we’ll perform advanced studies, like breast MRI and ultrasound. We offer all the evaluations you may need in one program.

Highlights of our program include: 

• Expertise: Fellowship-trained radiologists specializing in breast health oversee imaging studies and interpret your results. If something requires a biopsy or treatment, fellowship-trained breast surgeons guide your care. Our team’s expertise leads to exceptional treatment for common and complex breast health concerns. Find a women's health provider.

• National recognition: Many of our locations maintain American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation for mammograms, breast MRIs and breast ultrasounds. This distinction means that a highly qualified team dedicated to rigorous quality control standards delivers your care. 

• Convenience: You don’t need a referral for a screening mammogram. The test is available at sites throughout the Puget Sound area. Select one of our locations and make an appointment.

• Seamless care: Mammograms are part of our comprehensive breast cancer screening services. If a mammogram shows a potential issue, we coordinate additional testing to find out more. We also provide ongoing monitoring to women with a higher cancer risk through our hereditary breast cancer risk assessment and high-risk services.

Mammograms are imaging studies that detect signs of breast cancer well before you may notice symptoms. We also use them for diagnostic purposes, such as investigating symptoms or unusual findings from other imaging tests.

Mammograms involve low-energy X-rays taken at different angles. Special software assembles the images for a comprehensive view of breast tissue. Experts at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health use 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) because it detects issues that are easy to miss.

Women with average breast cancer risk and no symptoms should start getting annual mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history or other risk factors, experts recommend starting at an earlier age. Talk with your primary care provider or gynecologist to find out when you should start screening. You may also benefit from our hereditary breast cancer risk assessment and high-risk services.

A diagnostic mammogram assesses breast changes, such as a lump, pain, unusual skin appearance, nipple thickening or discharge. It also evaluates unexpected findings from screening mammograms. A diagnostic mammogram captures more detailed images, often using magnification, to examine areas of concern.

If a diagnostic mammogram is positive, we often recommend additional imaging or tests, such as:

• Breast ultrasound: This test uses high-resolution sound waves to create images. It also guides procedures like breast biopsies or draining (aspirating) a cyst.
• Breast MRI: This test uses radio waves and high-powered magnets to create detailed breast images. MRIs help us assess dense breast tissue. It’s also used for women with a higher breast cancer risk. 
• Breast biopsy: This procedure involves taking a tissue sample from a lump. Lab specialists (pathologists) examine it under a microscope to confirm or rule out a breast cancer diagnosis. 

Dense breast tissue can make it more difficult to detect suspicious growths using a standard screening mammogram. Having dense breasts may also increase your breast cancer risk. If you have dense breast tissue, you may be eligible for additional testing, like a breast ultrasound or MRI. Talk to your primary care provider or gynecologist to find out more. 

About 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Watch this video where Bindupriya Chandrasekaran, MD, explains risk factors and what you can do about them.

Our specialists care for patients across the Puget Sound area and beyond. Find a women's health provider near you.