The diagnostic and screening tests done for benign and malignant breast diseases are almost the same. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical checkup and take your personal & family history of the disease to further recommend any tests and screenings.
Common diagnostic tests include:
Breast exam – A manual exam that involves analysing the look and feel of the breast. It includes checking the breasts and the lymph nodes in your armpits for your abnormalities.
Mammogram – A mammogram exam is a specialised X-ray of the breast. It is a significant tool in tracking any changes in the breast.
Breast ultrasound – A breast ultrasound produces real-time images of the breast with the use of sound waves.
Breast biopsy – Breast biopsy is a tissue sampling technique in which a sample of breast tissues are drawn out and analysed for any changes.
When and if breast cancer is identified in a woman, it is essential to find out the stage of cancer for adequate treatment. Your breast cancer care team will recommend certain tests to help identify the stage of breast cancer. These tests include:
No, you may not need all the tests. Your healthcare provider will be able to tell the tests you need based on your overall health and risk factors.
No, the diagnostic tests are not painful but some of these tests may cause discomfort.
