Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images, of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions. The system can be used for virtually any tissue, but can also be optimized for breast cancer screening. A pad of different density may be placed over the nipple to provide a reference point that is visible in the scan images. The breast may be covered with a fabric that is constructed in such a manner to hold the breast in place and reduce ultrasonic scanning errors, as well as holding the pad in place. The location function described above will use the nipple pad as a reference point from which to measure any detected cancers or other anomalies.