ABUS (Automated Breast Ultrasound System)
Advanced Breast Imaging for Women with Dense Breast Tissue
Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses ultrasound waves to create detailed images of the breast tissue. It is a supplemental screening tool for women with dense breasts who may have difficulty detecting breast cancer with mammography alone. It’s a specialized imaging exam designed to improve cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue.
At Visalia Imaging & Open MRI, we offer ABUS as a supplemental screening tool alongside mammography to provide clearer, more comprehensive breast imaging for eligible patients.
Benefits of ABUS Screening
Improved cancer detection in dense breasts
No radiation exposure
3D imaging of the entire breast
Greater peace of mind
Supports early detection
Early detection remains one of the most powerful tools in the fight against breast cancer.
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ABUS (Automated Breast Ultrasound System) is an FDA-approved screening technology that:
Uses ultrasound waves (not radiation)
Captures high-resolution, 3D images of the entire breast
Provides consistent, reproducible imaging
Enhances cancer detection in dense breast tissue
Unlike handheld ultrasound, ABUS is automated, ensuring complete breast coverage and standardized imaging.
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Dense breast tissue is common and normal — but it can make it harder to detect cancer on a standard mammogram.
On a mammogram:
Fat appears dark
Dense tissue appears white
Cancer also appears white
This similarity can sometimes make abnormalities harder to see.
ABUS helps improve visibility by using sound waves to differentiate tissue types, increasing the chance of detecting cancers that mammography alone may miss.
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You may benefit from ABUS if you:
Have been told you have dense breasts
Want additional screening beyond your annual mammogram
Have a family history of breast cancer
Are looking for more comprehensive preventive breast imaging
ABUS is typically used as a supplement — not a replacement — for mammography.
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Your appointment is:
Comfortable and non-invasive
Free of radiation
Typically completed in about 15 minutes
Performed in our outpatient imaging center
A technologist will apply gel to the breast area and position the automated ultrasound device to capture detailed images. There is no compression like a mammogram.
There is no downtime, and you can resume normal activities immediately after your exam.