Test for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is not easily identifiable as the symptoms could be similar to other conditions. If health care provider has a suspicion of breast cancer, diagnosis is done. Diagnosis of breast cancer encompasses assessment of breast, mammography, ultrasound, MRI and biopsy. First, health care provider will examination breast for a possibility of breast cancer. He/she will assess physical breast changes such as shape and skin. Moreover, health care provider will palpate the breasts, armpits and collarbone region to feel the lump. Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Mentioned below are tests that diagnose breast cancer in women. 1. Mammography

• Similar to the X-ray technique, mammography is a technique to diagnose breast cancer in its early stages.
• If mammography is performed before any evidence of symptoms of breast cancer, mammography is referred to as screening mammogram.
• Screening mammography is done with an objective to detect breast cancer in the initial phase before it is spread.
• After detection of cancer at an early stage, women are recommended to undergo regular mammography to confirm breast cancer.
• In case health care provider recommends mammogram after identification of lump or other sign of breast disease, procedure of screening is called as diagnostic mammogram.
• Diagnostic mammogram examines change found during examination or screening mammogram.

2. Ultrasound

• It is a painless, non-invasive test to examine internal structures in the body.
• Ultra sound is preferred over mammogram as it can also visualise the area closest to the chest wall.
• The ultrasound diagnosis also figures out if mass in the breast is filled with fluid (cystic) or a solid.
• It is done to evaluate and complement findings of a mammogram.

3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• MRI provides detail of the structures of different parts that are being examined.
• It is usually done to ascertain the findings of mammography or ultrasound.

4. Breast Biopsy

• It is the definitive test to identify breast cancer.
• Biopsy of breast tissue is followed if mammogram or ultrasound suggests the likelihood of cancer.
• Among methods used to obtain tissue samples include fine needle aspiration, core needle biopsy and ultrasound guided breast biopsy.
• Thereafter, the tissue sample is examined under a microscope for malignant behaviour.
• Pathologist decides on treatment option after assessing the sample tissues.
• If cancer cells are diagnosed on the biopsy, the tissue is tested for presence of hormone receptors before beginning the treatment procedure.