Breast Imaging

Mission

To provide the highest quality of breast-imaging clinical services, to educate the next generation of radiologists about breast imaging, and to collaborate with our Cancer Center colleagues in breast-cancer research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Patient Care

We offer the full range of clinical breast imaging services, which includes screening digital mammography, diagnostic digital mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI.

All screening mammograms at the University of Colorado Hospital Breast Imaging Center and the Lone Tree Breast Center are performed using Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), a new mammographic technology that increases cancer detection rates while lowering the number of women who are unnecessarily recalled for additional testing.

The “Pink Lifesaver”, our mobile screening mammography unit, offers women the convenience of screening mammography in their neighborhoods, increasing their compliance with screening mammography recommendations. 

Computer Aided Detection (CAD) software is utilized on all mammograms and on breast MRIs. Our breast imaging physicians are highly skilled in the performance of image guided percutaneous breast biopsies and preoperative needle localizations, including those performed using stereotactic guidance, ultrasound guidance, and MRI guidance.

We also serve as a second opinion referral center for patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer in the Rocky Mountain region via our faculty’s participation in the University of Colorado Hospital’s weekly Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Conference and Clinic.

Education

The one-on-one training that radiology residents receive during their three months on the breast imaging service, including daily teaching conferences, is highly praised. The breast imaging faculty provide the Breast Imaging Core Lecture Series and monthly case conferences for all radiology residents.

Our one-year Fellowship in Breast Imaging provides advanced training in all aspects of breast imaging and the opportunity to participate in ongoing research projects.

Research

The breast imaging section has several ongoing projects evaluating current breast imaging techniques and questions encountered in daily clinical practice.

There is ongoing collaboration with University of Colorado Medical Oncologist Dr. Anthony Elias on ISPY-2, a multi-institutional trial of the use of serial breast MRIs to evaluate the effects of new neoadjuvent chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of advanced breast cancer. There is also an additional collaboration with University of Colorado Medical Oncologist Dr. Virginia Borges to investigate the involutional changes in normal breast tissue after lactation ceases.

Faculty