Diagnostic Breast Imaging in Santa Monica in Beverly Hills

Diagnostic breast imaging in Santa Monica is available close to home at Bedford Breast Center, a boutique, women-founded breast health practice serving patients throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including Culver City, Santa Monica, and beyond. Whether you have received an abnormal mammogram result, noticed a change in your breast, or been referred by your physician for further evaluation, Bedford Breast Center offers advanced imaging technology, an all-female physician team, and same-day access.

What You Need to Know About Diagnostic Breast Imaging in Santa Monica

Diagnostic breast imaging differs from routine annual screening in both purpose and scope. While screening mammography looks broadly for early signs of disease in women without symptoms, diagnostic imaging is ordered when there is a specific concern such as, an abnormal screening result, a palpable lump, nipple discharge, skin changes, or breast pain that warrants closer investigation. At Bedford Breast Center, diagnostic breast imaging in Santa Monica and the surrounding communities is supported by some of the most advanced modalities available anywhere in California.

The practice is the only facility in California offering both Vera Scan Breast CT and Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM), two highly sophisticated imaging tools that may improve detection accuracy in complex or ambiguous cases. These are offered alongside 3D mammography and breast ultrasound, giving the team a comprehensive view of breast tissue that standard imaging alone may not provide.

The Bedford radiology team includes Dr. Caroline Moss, Dr. Lakshmi Tegulapalle, Dr. Alyssa Watanabe (FACR), Dr. Kara-Lee Pool, and Dr. Regan Ferraro, each specializing in breast imaging. Their focused expertise means your images are interpreted by physicians who work exclusively in this specialty, not general radiologists rotating through multiple departments. Results are communicated directly and promptly, so patients are never left waiting days for a callback that may never come.

Are You a Candidate for Diagnostic Breast Imaging?

Diagnostic breast imaging may be appropriate for a broad range of patients, from those with a specific physician referral to women who prefer a more thorough evaluation than a standard screening alone can provide. Patients in Culver City, Westside Los Angeles, and Santa Monica who are navigating an uncertain result or a new symptom will find a practice structured specifically around their needs.

You may benefit from diagnostic breast imaging at Bedford Breast Center if you:

• Have received a call-back following a screening mammogram
• Have noticed a new lump, thickening, or change in breast tissue
• Are experiencing unexplained nipple discharge or skin changes
• Have a personal or family history of breast cancer requiring closer monitoring
• Have dense breast tissue that may benefit from supplemental imaging modalities
• Are seeking a second opinion on a prior imaging result

The practice’s all-female physician team creates an environment many patients describe as meaningfully more comfortable than a traditional hospital radiology department. The concierge model means you are seen as an individual, not a number in a queue. If you are ready to move forward, call for details to discuss same-day availability.

What to Expect at Bedford Breast Center

From your first point of contact, the Bedford Breast Center experience is designed to reduce anxiety and eliminate the gaps that so often delay care. Most patients begin with a brief consultation, either with a member of the radiology team or a breast surgical oncologist, to review your history, prior imaging, and current concerns. This helps determine which imaging approach will be most informative for your specific situation.

The imaging itself is typically performed during the same visit. Depending on your clinical picture, this may include a targeted breast ultrasound, diagnostic mammography, Vera Scan Breast CT, or Contrast-Enhanced Mammography. A key differentiator for patients coming from Santa Monica, Culver City, and nearby areas is that Bedford’s radiologists are on-site and available to speak with you directly. You will not be asked to wait days for a radiology report to be mailed or relayed through a third party.

If imaging findings suggest that tissue sampling is needed, same-day breast biopsies are available on-site. Should surgical evaluation be required, the practice’s breast surgical oncologists are available for same-day consultations. Most patients find this seamless continuum of care far less stressful than being referred from facility to facility across the Los Angeles area.

Why Choose Bedford Breast Center for Diagnostic Breast Imaging in Santa Monica?

Patients seeking diagnostic breast imaging in Santa Monica have options, but few practices offer the combination of clinical depth and thoughtful patient experience that defines Bedford Breast Center. Bedford Breast Center serves patients across the Westside, including those traveling from Playa Vista, Marina del Rey, Brentwood, and West Hollywood, as well as out-of-state patients who travel specifically for the practice’s specialized care. Learn more about the breast cancer education resources available through Bedford Breast Center, or explore insurance and payment options before your visit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diagnostic Breast Imaging

What types of diagnostic breast imaging does Bedford Breast Center offer?

The practice offers diagnostic mammography, 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, Vera Scan Breast CT, and Contrast-Enhanced Mammography (CEM). Bedford is the only facility in California offering both Vera Scan Breast CT and CEM, which may provide more detailed information in cases where standard imaging yields inconclusive results. The appropriate modality is determined based on your individual clinical history and physician recommendation. Individual results may vary.

How quickly will I receive my imaging results?

Results are typically communicated the same day at Bedford Breast Center. A board-certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging is on-site and available to review findings directly with you, rather than routing results through an intermediary. If additional evaluation is warranted, surgical oncology consultations are available the same day in most cases, which significantly reduces the time between imaging and next steps.

What is the difference between screening mammography and diagnostic breast imaging?

Screening mammography is performed on women with no current symptoms and is intended to detect early abnormalities before they become clinically apparent. Diagnostic breast imaging is ordered when there is a specific concern, such as a call-back from a prior screening, a new lump, or other symptom. Diagnostic imaging typically involves a more detailed protocol, additional imaging views, or supplemental modalities to evaluate a specific area of concern.

Can I come in without a physician referral for diagnostic breast imaging?

In many cases, patients may self-refer for imaging evaluation. Bedford Breast Center encourages you to call for details to discuss your specific situation and confirm whether a referral is needed for your particular insurance plan. The practice can also coordinate directly with your referring physician if you have been sent for follow-up imaging.

Schedule Diagnostic Breast Imaging

If you are looking for diagnostic breast imaging in Santa Monica or the surrounding Culver City area, Bedford Breast Center offers the expertise, technology, and same-day access to give you clear answers without delay. Complete the online contact form to schedule your appointment today.