Your exam will be performed by a female sonography technician. You will be asked to lie flat for your exam. She will cover the area of the breast to be examined with a warm gel. The technician will scan the breast with an instrument referred to as a transducer, or probe, that uses sound waves to obtain the images. This procedure is virtually pain free and uses no radiation.

After your exam is completed, a radiologist will review your pictures. You will be asked to wait in the testing room. The technician will give you further instructions. In some instances after reviewing your ultrasound, the radiologist may feel further testing is needed. Often the next step is a biopsy. The radiologist will discuss with you and your physician which method of biopsy is right for you.