Breast Imaging
Your breast health is our top priority – every image, every time.
Breast Imaging Services When and Where You Need Them
Routine mammograms and breast health screenings play a key role in your overall health. The screening and diagnostic breast imaging services at WakeMed offer advanced tools to help detect breast conditions, including breast cancer, at an earlier stage when treatment is most likely to be successful.
Our expert breast imaging team is committed to providing personalized, compassionate care in a comfortable setting. With convenient locations and flexible scheduling, we make it easier for you to prioritize your breast health—close to home and on your time.
Breast Imaging Services We Offer
From routine screenings to diagnostic exams, our breast imaging services are built around your comfort and care.
Mammograms are low-dose x-rays of the breast and are used to screen for breast cancer and breast changes.
Screening mammograms are used to check for breast cancer in women who have no signs or symptoms of the disease. Diagnostic mammograms are used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other sign or symptom has been found.
At WakeMed Imaging, 3D mammography is our standard of care for early detection of breast cancer. It combines multiple breast x-rays to create a 3D picture of the breast, providing greater visibility and details about the breast tissue for the radiologist.
Breast MRI is used in addition to mammography to evaluate the breast, lymph nodes and surrounding muscle for breast cancer or abnormalities.
Physicians may recommend a breast MRI for women with strong family histories of breast cancer (i.e. mother, sister diagnosed with breast cancer before age 50) or for women with dense breast tissue.
If breast cancer is present, a breast MRI helps the physician determine its size and if it has impacted the surrounding lymph nodes or muscle. We also use breast MRI to evaluate lumpectomy sites, non-cancerous breast abnormalities and implants.
WakeMed also offers fast breast MRI – also known as abbreviated breast MRI – to detect breast cancer in women who are at high risk for the disease and/or have dense breast.
The 10-minute procedure has a higher cancer detection rate than 3D screening mammograms alone. While not covered by insurance, it can be requested through a physician referral for an out-of-pocket fee.
Locations:
This technology helps physicians determine if a breast lump is solid or filled with fluid.
Ultrasound is also helpful in guiding the physician when performing a breast biopsy and in finding breast abnormalities in women with dense breast tissue.
Like breast MRI, it is not a replacement for mammography; it is a supplement, giving the physician more information to make a diagnosis.
Locations:
When we need a sample of a breast abnormality (i.e. cyst, suspicious mass), we use highly advanced equipment to assist in locating the abnormal area.
To ensure accuracy, the provider might use ultrasound to guide the needle as it moves toward and into the mass. Or the provider may use a method called stereotactic needle biopsy to guide the needle.
During a stereotactic needle biopsy, computers map the exact location of the mass using mammograms taken from two angles.
Learn More About Preparing for a Stereotactic Needle Biopsy.
Locations:
Why Choose WakeMed Imaging Services?
When it comes to your breast health, choosing WakeMed Imaging Services means choosing the best in care. We’re proud to offer:
- 3D mammography at every screening, ensuring the most detailed and accurate images for early detection.
- Advanced imaging technology designed to detect even the smallest abnormalities in dense breast tissue.
- Gold standard accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR) in breast ultrasound, MRI, mammography and breast biopsy to ensure patients receive the highest level of image quality and safety.
- Quick, easy appointments in a comfortable setting, making your mammogram experience as smooth as possible with online & walk-in screening scheduling options available at all locations.
- Timely results with most patients receiving their reports within a few business days for peace of mind.
If your screening shows anything that requires a closer look, we provide a streamlined follow-up process. Our breast imaging navigators will contact you promptly to schedule any additional imaging or consultation needed, supporting you every step of the way.
Find a WakeMed Breast Imaging Location Near You
