Breast Imaging

UCSF Breast Imaging offers a full spectrum of imaging techniques for detecting and diagnosing breast cancer and related cancers, using the most advanced equipment. Our services range from digital mammograms to breast MRIs and ultrasounds to image-guided procedures, such as taking tissue samples, removing fluid and locating areas of concern before a surgical biopsy. (See the complete list below of available imaging services. Not all services are available at every location.)

Our record as a world-renowned breast imaging program spans 30 years. Speed of diagnosis is a distinguishing feature, with nearly all breast imaging results reported within 24 hours. (Results are available in MyChart or by request from the UCSF Imaging Library.) We use 100 percent full-field digital mammography, which has been shown to detect cancers that were missed using older technologies and uses less radiation than analog mammography.

Specialized nurse navigators

Our nurse navigators are registered nurses with special training in breast imaging and breast care. They serve as your primary point of contact and personal advocate from the time an abnormality is found through diagnosis. Your nurse navigator provides personalized education, care coordination, and support to both you and your family.

Our nurse navigator services include:

• Providing breast cancer risk-reduction counseling and screening recommendations
• Explaining your imaging results and guiding you through the recommended next steps
• Helping you prepare for and recover from biopsy procedures
• Informing you about your biopsy results and recommended follow-up care
• Discussing breast cancer pathology (specifics on a particular cancer and how it tends to progress) and providing an overview of treatments
• Arranging for referrals to breast health specialists, genetic counselors and social workers

To contact our nurse navigators, please call (415) 502-4595 or email [email protected].

Images and reports

Getting your results

A radiologist will review your images and write a report. When finalized, the report and your images will be available in MyChart, UCSF's secure online portal for patients. You can access this report as soon as this occurs, so you may see it before your referring doctor does. Learn more about receiving test results and medical reports in MyChart. If you have questions about a report, please contact your referring doctor.

Rest assured that if your results are abnormal, one of our nurse navigators will reach out to you within two business days to discuss the results and answer your questions. The nurse will also talk to you about any recommended follow-up tests and help you schedule them. It's important to know that in most cases of an abnormal result, additional testing determines that there is no cancer.

To get a CD of your medical images and reports, send a request to the UCSF Imaging Library.

Sending images to UCSF

If you need to send medical images that were taken at another institution to your UCSF radiologist, you can do so through our secure online portal. For instructions, visit How to Send Radiology Images to UCSF.

Our services

Not all services are available at every one of our locations (see map below). Our schedulers can let you know which locations offer the service you need.

• Breast MRI
• Breast ultrasound
• Fine needle aspiration
• Mammogram
• MRI-guided core biopsy
• Needle (wire) and magseed localization procedure
• Stereotactic core breast biopsy
• Ultrasound-guided breast cyst aspiration
• Ultrasound-guided core breast biopsy