Examination
The first step to diagnosing breast cancer is a physical exam. Your doctor will feel your breasts for lumps and nodules. He also will look for any abnormalities around the nipples. You can do this type of exam on yourself periodically to check for changes in your breast tissue and appearance. Your physician also will question you about family medical history to assess your genetic risk for breast cancer.
Imaging Tests
If you or your doctor find an abnormality in your breast, you may be sent for one or more of the various types of imaging tests. A mammogram is one of the most common types of these tests. During this procedure, an X-ray of the breast is taken and examined for anything that looks suspicious. You may receive an ultrasound instead of a mammogram; this test uses sound waves to obtain a picture of the breast tissue. One other imaging test is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure. This test uses radio waves and magnets to obtain an image of the tissues in the breasts and surrounding areas.
Biopsy
Biopsies provide the most accurate picture of whether or not cancer is present within the breast. Fine needle biopsy involves the extraction of tissue from a growth in the breast; it is performed with a small needle. Core needle biopsies involve a larger needle and a larger extraction of tissue. Surgical biopsy is the surgical removal of a portion or all of the suspicious area within the breast. Once a biopsy has been performed, the sample will be analyzed by a lab to determine if it is malignant and, if so, to what extent.
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