Frequently asked questions.

BeSound brings advanced breast screening to you through 3-D automated ultrasound: a 20-minute, comfortable scan with no radiation and no compression. A board-certified physician reviews and interprets your images, and your results arrive in your secure portal within 24 to 48 weekday hours

ABUS stands for Automated Breast Ultrasound System, and BeSound uses the GE Invenia ABUS. It is FDA-approved for screening in dense breast tissue, which is where it makes the greatest difference. Rather than relying on a technician to guide a probe by hand, the Invenia uses a large curved transducer to capture the entire breast in standardized 3D images. That removes the operator variability of handheld ultrasound and gives the physician a complete, consistent view every time.

Dense breast tissue is common and completely normal, but it makes cancer harder to see. On a mammogram, both dense tissue and tumors show up white, so cancers can blend in. In extremely dense breasts, mammograms may miss up to 50% of cancers. The FDA now requires that women be notified when they have dense tissue, and ABUS was FDA-approved specifically to help close that gap.

When used alongside mammography, Invenia ABUS detects 35.7% more breast cancers than mammography alone. Early detection is what changes outcomes: when breast cancer is found at a localized stage, the five-year survival rate is 99%. Women screened with Invenia ABUS also tend to undergo fewer biopsies than those screened with standard handheld ultrasound.

BeSound is for anyone who wants to be proactive about their breast health. That includes women with dense breast tissue, women under 40 who want proactive screening before they are eligible for routine mammograms, and anyone who wants additional screening between mammograms or has a family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 20 to 49, which is part of why proactive screening matters so much.

No. BeSound is available for women of all ages. It is available for women under 40 who want proactive screening before they are eligible for routine mammograms, and it is a clinically proven complement for women over 40 who already get them. It is especially valuable for anyone with dense breast tissue, at any age.

Yes. Many women with implants have dense breast tissue, which ABUS is well suited to image. While MRI remains the standard for evaluating implant integrity, ABUS gives the physician meaningful information about the surrounding breast tissue.

Yes. ABUS uses sound waves, not radiation, so it is safe at any stage of pregnancy or while nursing. Breast tissue is naturally denser during these times, which can affect image clarity, and the reviewing physician takes that into account. If you are breastfeeding, feeding or pumping right before your appointment helps with both comfort and image quality.

A mammogram uses compression and radiation to create a 2D image, and in dense tissue that image can hide cancer. ABUS uses sound waves to build a 3D picture of the whole breast, with no radiation and no compression, and it performs especially well in exactly the tissue where mammograms struggle. The two work best together.

If you are 40 or older, yes, keep getting your regular mammograms. BeSound adds an extra layer of screening, which is especially valuable for dense tissue. Think of them as working together rather than one replacing the other.

A handheld ultrasound is operator-dependent and usually used to check one specific area, so results vary with the skill of whoever performs it. ABUS automates imaging across the entire breast, which removes that variability and produces standardized 3D images every time. MRI is the most sensitive option available, but it is expensive, requires injected contrast dye, takes much longer, and is generally reserved for high-risk patients. ABUS offers a thorough middle ground that is far more accessible, with no radiation, no contrast, and no compression.

Thermography uses infrared imaging to detect heat patterns. It is not FDA-approved for breast cancer screening and is not considered equivalent to mammography or ultrasound by major medical organizations including the FDA and the American College of Radiology. ABUS, by contrast, is FDA-approved with a deep clinical evidence base behind it.

QT imaging is a newer technology that suspends the breast in a water bath to create images. It is genuinely promising, but it is still emerging, has limited availability, and does not yet have the clinical track record or FDA approval pathway that ABUS does. ABUS holds FDA PMA approval, the most rigorous standard, specifically for screening dense breast tissue.

Your visit takes about 30 minutes. Wear a top that is easy to remove, and you will change into a comfortable robe. A member of our all-female sonographer team performs the scan in a private room, using warm lotion and a handheld transducer that glides across the breast in systematic sweeps. You will feel light pressure but nothing painful, and the scan itself takes about 15 to 20 minutes for both breasts. Everything else, including payment, is handled through your online intake, so there is nothing to bring.

Your scan is performed by a licensed, trained sonographer, and your images are then reviewed and interpreted by a board-certified physician. All clinical services are provided by independent physicians who work with BeSound.

Invenia ABUS includes QVCAD, the first AI to earn FDA PMA approval for concurrent reading of ABUS exams. As the physician reads your scan, QVCAD analyzes the same images, flags areas worth a closer look, and provides up to 93% sensitivity for lesion detection while reducing reading time by about 33%. It supports the physician's work, but a board-certified physician always makes the final assessment.

BeSound is completely radiation-free and uses no compression. It relies on sound waves, the same technology used in pregnancy ultrasounds, which makes it safe to use as often as needed.

No, you can schedule any time of the month. During the higher-hormone phases of your cycle, breast tissue is denser, which can actually improve the imaging, because dense tissue appears white on the scan while cancer appears dark.

$349 per scan. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.

Now accepting Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, and Aetna. Benefits may apply depending on your plan, and coverage and out-of-pocket cost are determined by your insurer. We do not accept Medi-Cal at this time. If your plan is not listed, you can book as self-pay at $349 and request an itemized receipt with procedure codes to submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Two things to know before booking with insurance. First, coverage is not guaranteed: insurance is unlikely to cover the scan if you are under 40, do not have dense breast tissue documented on a prior mammogram, or if your insurer determines the scan is not medically necessary for you. Second, coverage is decided by your insurance company after the scan, not by BeSound, and if a claim is denied you are responsible for the cost. We recommend confirming your benefits with your insurer before your appointment.

Claims are submitted on your behalf. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum, so we recommend confirming your benefits with your insurer before your appointment. You will receive an Explanation of Benefits outlining what is covered. CPT codes are available on request.

Within 24 to 48 weekday hours, you will receive an email directing you to your secure patient portal. Saturday appointments may take a little longer because of the weekend. If you have prior imaging that we need to obtain, the window may extend, and we will keep you informed.

If the reviewing physician identifies a finding, it is noted in your results along with recommended next steps. A Patient Care Coordinator follows up within 24 to 48 weekday hours to walk you through them, which may include additional diagnostic imaging at a BeSound location, a referral to a breast imaging center, or coordination with a breast specialist, OB-GYN, or primary care provider. You are never left to figure out next steps on your own.

BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) is the standardized system physicians use to categorize imaging findings, on a scale from 0 to 6. A lower number generally means no findings or a benign finding, while higher numbers indicate something that may warrant follow-up. It is a communication tool, not a diagnosis. If your results call for next steps, a Patient Care Coordinator will reach out within 24 to 48 weekday hours.

Our flagship is at 8274 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles 90046. A Beverly Hills satellite, a mobile unit, and a New York City location are on the way. Join the waitlist at besoundbreast.com to hear when we open near you.