Breast Imaging

Breast Imaging at Noosa Radiology

Our Women’s Imaging Department has been designed for women’s comfort and privacy. We utilise the latest in breast imaging technology which integrates the use of 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI and interventional procedures, including biopsies and FNAs, to provide a complete service in one location.​

​3D Mammography – tomosynthesis

3D mammography allows the reporting Radiologists to examine the breast tissue one layer at a time. The advantages to this include:​

  • Reduces structure overlap, making small cancers clearer to see in areas of the breast that might be obscured on a 2D mammogram by dense breast tissue​
  • Patient anxiety is decreased as recall rates for extra images are significantly reduced, as well as reducing unnecessary breast biopsies​
​Breast Ultrasound

Breast ultrasound is an excellent imaging technique for determining whether a breast mass, identified on physical exam or through mammography, is filled with fluid or is solid. Breast ultrasound, however, is less effective at searching the breast tissue for unknown abnormalities and therefore is not a substitute for a mammographic examination. In many cases, additional breast and lymph node diagnostic information is obtained using high-resolution ultrasound, which can help further clarify the nature of breast or lymph node lesions. Breast ultrasound is increasingly employed to provide additional, complementary, diagnostic information to mammography. ​

Breast MRI

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe and highly sensitive tool for imaging breasts. Breast MRI obtains high resolution images without compression or radiation. However, for the majority of patients, it does not replace routine mammograms. Magnetic resonance mammography is a valuable and highly sensitive tool for:​

  • High risk screening for breast cancer​
  • Women with a strong family history of breast cancer – two or more close relatives such as mother or sister​
  • Women who have known mutations in the breast cancer genes BRCA1 and BRCA2​
  • Women with a history of previously treated breast cancer​
  • Women with very dense breast tissue​
  • Evaluation of extent of disease​
  • Women with biopsy proven carcinoma, DCIS or LCIS, to assess for extent of disease in both breasts​
  • Implant assessment​
  • Breast MRI can evaluate the integrity of breast implants without compression​
Breast Interventional Procedures

In some cases when an abnormality is detected , it is not possible to tell from the imaging studies alone whether it is benign or cancerous. In these cases, ultrasound biopsy or mammographic stereotactic guided breast biopsy is a highly accurate and minimally invasive way to provide the answer. ​

Our specially trained radiologists use MRI-guided breast biopsy to precisely locate and remove cells from a suspicious area in the breast for diagnosis and treatment planning. MRI-guided breast biopsy is most useful where there is breast abnormalities such as a suspicious mass not identified by other imaging techniques, an area of distortion or an area of abnormal tissue change.​

Breast Hookwire Localisation is performed to assist your surgeon to localise a particular area in your breast, prior to surgery. The area to be localised may be visible on your mammogram or ultrasound, but cannot be felt by your surgeon. A fine wire, called a hookwire, is inserted into the breast using x-ray or ultrasound guidance. Your surgeon uses this wire as a guide to find the area in your breast to be removed.​

Preparing for your examination

Please be aware that all Breast Imaging examinations require an appointment. Please call us to arrange an appointment.​

What to bring:​

  • A referral from your GP or specialist​
  • Medicare card​
  • Pension/concession card​

Please wear a two-piece outfit. No deodorant, hairspray, talcum powder or body cream with glitter should be worn on the day of your examination. 3D mammography is sensitive and artifacts on the skin surface may be produced by these products. Facilities are available on-site for you to apply these products following your examination.​

The appearance of the breast on a mammogram varies tremendously from woman to woman, and no two mammograms are alike. Please tell us if you have had previous breast imaging. It is extremely helpful for the radiologist to have access to any previous examinations for comparison purposes. This will help the doctor to recognise small changes that occur gradually over time and detect a cancer as early as possible. For breast MRI a contrast dye called gadolinium is required and you may be asked to fast prior to the examination. Our friendly team will let you know in advance and specific preparation.​

Please tell us if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.​

Reasons for Breast Imaging

The main reasons for Breast Imaging examinations are:​

  • Routine screening to detect early signs of breast cancer, starting at 40 years of age results in the greatest mortality reduction.​
  • High risk screening for individuals with a higher risk of breast cancer (e.g., family history, genetic predisposition)​
  • Imaging helps investigate symptoms like lumps, pain, skin changes, or nipple discharge and to assess abnormalities detected during screening or physical exams.​
  • To track changes in benign conditions such as cysts or fibroadenomas.​
  • Breast imaging helps in planning surgeries, such as lumpectomies or mastectomies and monitor the surgical site for recurrence or complications.​
  • Imaging, especially MRI, is used to detect implant rupture or complications. ​
  • Breast imaging is essential for minimally invasive procedures like biopsies, cyst aspiration and localisation procedures​
  • Imaging assesses gynecomastia or breast abnormalities in men.​
  • Imaging evaluates the effectiveness of treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.​

What to expect

On arrival, our reception staff will ask you to read and sign a consent form that relates to the procedure you are having. You may be asked to change into a gown and remove any metal objects or jewellery.​​

During mammography, the technologist will position and image each breast separately. Each breast is carefully positioned on a special detector plate and then gently compressed with a paddle. This compression flattens the breast so that the maximum amount of tissue can be imaged and examined. Patients should feel firm pressure due to compression but no significant pain. If you feel pain, please inform the technologist.​

Our radiologists are involved in every case at the time of the exam. If any additional imaging is required, we make every effort to obtain it at that time, as opposed to having patients return for further imaging or biopsy.​

More information for your specific examination see the ‘Related information’ in this section.​

When can you get your results?

The images obtained are digitally recorded. At Noosa Radiology our highly trained and qualified Radiologists interpret the images and provides a report for your doctor and/or referring health care provider within 24 hours.​

You will need to make a follow up appointment to discuss biopsy results with your referring practitioner. Pathology results can take 3-7 days to reach your referring practitioner. Your doctor can access your report and images electronically via a secure portal and you will be able to access your images via our patient portal.​

Upcoming closure:

Please note that our clinics will be closed on Monday, 5 May for the Labour Day public holiday.

Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, 6 May

Thank you for your understanding and we wish you a safe and relaxing holiday!

Upcoming closure:

Please note we will be closed in observance of
ANZAC Day on Friday, 25 April.

Lest We Forget

Thank you for your understanding. Normal hours resume from Saturday, 26 April.

Upcoming closure:

Please note our adjusted hours over the Easter period.

Good Friday (April 18): Closed
Easter Saturday (April 19) Closed
Easter Sunday (April 20): Closed
Easter Monday (April 21): Closed

Normal hours resume from Tuesday, 22 April.
Wishing you and your family a safe and joyful Easter!

Upcoming closure:

Due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred to our community, we will be closed on Friday 7th March and Saturday 8th March for the safety of our staff and patients. We apologise for any inconvenience and will reopen on Monday 10th March.