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More women are surviving a breast cancer diagnosis thanks to early detection and more effective treatment options. In 2017, 89% of women diagnosed with breast cancer were still alive after five years.
While it’s easy to understand the importance of breast screening when looking at survival rates, understanding the different breast screening technologies and when to use them can be confusing. Mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can all be used to help diagnose breast cancer, or other breast diseases.
A mammography exam takes X-ray images – mammograms – of the breast to look for abnormalities. It provides a detailed view of breast tissue with a very small dose of radiation and can reveal changes that may be too small for you or your doctor to feel. It is the gold standard for breast screening and is usually the first step in the screening process.
Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to check breast tissue from a different perspective than mammography. It can be handheld or an automated breast ultrasound, which uses 3D ultrasound technology to offer a fast and reproducible look at the breast from a variety of angles. Breast ultrasounds are often requested when you or your health care practitioner feel a lump, see nipple discharge, or your mammogram shows new findings. Ultrasound can also be ordered when your mammogram shows high breast density. They are often performed as a supplement to a mammography exam.
Breast MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to take a very detailed look at the soft tissues of the breast. Although mammography is still the standard first method of detecting abnormalities in breast tissue, Breast MRI can be a powerful screening and diagnostic tool for women at high risk of breast cancer. It can also be used to assess the extent of breast tumors after a cancer diagnosis, for further examination of concerns when mammography and/or ultrasound are negative, or as a follow up after treatment to look for recurrence of breast cancer. Women with extremely dense breast tissue may also benefit from breast MRI.
Your risk for breast cancer depends on a number of factors including your personal medical history, age, genetics, lifestyle, etc. Discussing your risk factors with your health care practitioner will help you gauge your risk level.
The following are considered high risk factors:
NOTE: If you are at high risk, Mayfair recommends regular breast screening every year starting at any age above 40 or 10 years earlier than the age a first-degree relative was diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.
*Breast density is a major risk factor for breast cancer. Your breasts are made up of different types of tissue: fibroglandular (dense) tissue, and fat (not dense tissue). Dense breasts have less fatty tissue, more fibroglandular tissue, and a higher risk of cancer. Fatty tissue appears dark on a mammogram while both abnormalities and fibroglandular tissue appear white, making abnormalities harder to find.
Dense breasts are quite common, but they can only be determined by a mammogram. At Mayfair Diagnostics all of our mammography machines are equipped with software that classifies breast density, which is included in reports to referring doctors. It’s important to know your breast density and discuss it with your doctor since women with dense breast tissue often benefit from regular mammograms supplemented by ultrasound or possibly breast MRI.
How mammography, breast ultrasound, and breast MRI work together and whether they would all be appropriate depends on your personal circumstances and will need to be determined by your doctor.
Mayfair Diagnostics has 13 mammography locations with patient-assisted compression – which helps provide a more comfortable mammogram. Coventry Hills has an upgraded mammography system but doesn’t offer patient-assisted compression.
Automated breast ultrasound is available at our Market Mall, Mayfair Place, Southcentre, and The CORE locations. Please visit our breast imaging services page for more information.
REFERENCES
Advani, S. M., et al. (2021) “Association of Breast Density With Breast Cancer Risk Among Women Aged 65 Years or Older by Age Group and Body Mass Index.” JAMA Network Open. 2021;4(8). Accessed October 8, 2022.
Alberta Health Services Breast Cancer Screening Programs (2022) “Breast Cancer Screening.” www.screeningforlife.ca. Accessed October 8, 2022.
Canadian Cancer Society (2021) “Breast cancer statistics.” www.cancer.ca. Accessed October 8, 2022.
Canadian Cancer Society (2021) “Breast density.” www.cancer.ca. Accessed October 8, 2022.
Engmann et al. (2017) “Population-Attributable Risk Proportion of Clinical Risk Factors for Breast Cancer.” JAMA Oncology. 2017; 3(9) 1228-36. Accessed October 8, 2022.
Huizen, J. (2019) “What happens during a breast MRI?” www.medicalnewstoday.com. Accessed on October 8, 2022.
Tabar, L., et al. (2018) “The incidence of fatal breast cancer measures the increased effectiveness of therapy in women participating in mammography screening.” Cancer. Accessed on October 8, 2022.
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At the heart of everything we do is a belief that every image tells a story—and every story deserves care.
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we provide state-of-the-art medical imaging that helps patients and physicians get the clarity they need to make informed decisions about health. From routine check-ups to complex diagnoses, our role is to deliver answers with compassion and accuracy.
We offer a full spectrum of imaging services, including:
MRI, CT, and X-Ray for advanced diagnostic insight
Ultrasound and Mammography for preventative and women’s health
Nuclear Medicine, Bone Density, and Cardiac Imaging for specialized care
Pain Management and Interventional Procedures to improve quality of life
But our work extends beyond exams and equipment. As the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada, we connect urban, rural, and remote communities with expert radiology services—ensuring access to care when and where it’s needed most.
We also partner with local organizations, sports teams, and community groups to keep people healthy and active. From professional athletes to families booking their first screening, our commitment is the same: timely results, advanced technology, and compassionate care.
To improve lives with clarity, compassion, and care—one focused image at a time.
But numbers only tell part of the story. What truly defines us is our culture of compassion. We’re a team of caregivers, innovators, and problem-solvers who share a commitment to excellence. Whether supporting frontline care, developing new technology workflows, or guiding a patient through their appointment, we approach our work with empathy and integrity.
At Mayfair, you’re not just part of a company—you’re part of a community. Together, we’re shaping the future of health care, making advanced imaging accessible, and creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow.
WHO WE ARE. WHAT WE DO. Why we’re more than a workplace
At Mayfair Diagnostics, we’re caregivers, nurturers, creators and thought leaders—deeply rooted in a passion to help people. We deliver meaningful work, compassionate care, and an environment where every team member can thrive.
Key Points:
Founded on over a century of excellence in medical imaging.
Owned and operated by 50+ radiologists, supported by 400–640+ employees across clinical, technical, administrative, and support roles.
Operating 17 locations across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and beyond (14 in Calgary, plus Cochrane, Regina, Saskatoon).
Serving 600,000–700,000 patients annually, delivering over 90,000 radiological interpretations—the largest teleradiology provider in Western Canada.
Vision & Mission:
Vision: “A world in which every person has clarity about their health.”
Mission: “To improve people’s lives, one focused image and one caring, compassionate human touch at a time.”
