5. May 2025
When it comes to breast health, many people first think of mammography and often of uncomfortable experiences: the pressure on the breast that can be painful, the anxiety before getting the results, and the uncertainty when the findings are “not entirely clear.”
What many do not know is that there are now other ways to examine the breast. Gentle, precise, and without compression. One of them is Breast Computed Tomography, or Breast CT for short. While it is not yet widely available, it is quickly gaining ground as a valuable addition, especially in cases where other methods do not provide clear answers.
In computed tomography (CT), numerous X-ray images are taken from different angles. These images are then processed by a computer to generate highly precise 3D images. Breast CT uses this technology specifically for imaging the breast, examining one breast at a time. This approach limits radiation exposure only to the breast tissue, leaving the surrounding areas unaffected.
Many women are surprised at how calm and uncomplicated the examination feels. No pressure, no pulling, no long stay inside the machine. Unlike traditional imaging methods, the patient lies in a prone position during the scan, and the breast is not compressed. The setup requires minimal physical contact with the technician and the device, making the setup quick, easy and gentle. The overall experience is more comfortable and allows for highly detailed imaging, layer by layer, without overlapping tissue and the feeling of being “represented in the image” without feeling exposed also changes the way many women feel about the conversation afterward.
A Breast CT does not replace mammography, but it can be an important additional tool in certain cases. For example:
when breast tissue is very dense (which can make traditional images hard to interpret),
when previous exams did not provide clear results,
when an MRI is not possible (for instance, due to claustrophobia, implants, or impaired kidney function),
or if you are looking for a gentle, pain-free examination that still offers a detailed view.
Depending on the medical question, a Breast CT can be performed with or without contrast agent. The scan itself only takes a few seconds.
The result of the examination provides the doctor with a highly detailed 3D image of the breast. This allows the breast to be viewed not only as a whole in three dimensions but also layer by layer. This layered view helps the doctor to detect even the smallest changes that might otherwise remain hidden.
Note: The video shows an individual clinical case.
Source: Dr. Karsten Ridder, MVZ Uhlenbrock und Partner in Dortmund, used with kind permission.
No. Since the examination is performed without breast compression, it is generally pain-free.
Typical use cases include:
When a mammography is too painful or not possible (for example, in women with very sensitive breasts, after surgery, with breast implants, or for those who feel anxious about the exam).
When MRI is not an option. such as in cases of claustrophobia, a pacemaker, or when the MRI exam would take too long.
To clarify unclear findings from other imaging methods (e.g. ultrasound).
For further evaluation of palpable abnormalities in the breast.
Also suitable for dense breast tissue.
The actual scan typically lasts only 7 to 12 seconds per breast.
Breast CT is not yet a standard service covered by statutory health insurance in Germany. In some cases, costs may be reimbursed, but this must be clarified with your health insurance provider. For privately insured patients, reimbursement is usually possible. On average, the cost ranges between €250 and €500.
If you’re interested, please contact a medical facility that offers breast CT as part of its clinical routine to receive detailed information about pricing.
Find Breast CT locations near you:
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