Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Diagnosis is based on detection and screening.
Detection can be done through self-examination of the breast frequently and finding out for
- Changes during menstruation
Getting checked with a physician is necessary if anything unusual is observed.Self-examination helps in early diagnosis of the disease and reduces the number of deaths caused due to breast cancer.1
Screening Tests
The following are some of the methods used in detecting breast cancer.
Mammogram:
A mammogram is the X-ray of the breast to find out the smallest tumor present in the breast, which cannot be felt.
Clinical Breast Exam (CBE):
Clinical breast examination is done by the physician who carefully examines the breast and under arms for the presence of lumps or abnormal changes.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
An MRI scan is much more sensitive scan when compared to the mammogram. It provides pictures of the inside parts of the breast, thereby helping in better diagnoses. This is very helpful to women are at a very high-risk for breast cancer.2
Ultrasound:
An ultrasound is done to detect whether the lump is a fluid filled lump or a solid lump.
Biopsy:
A breast biopsy is done by removing a small sample and a microbiological examination is conducted for the presence of cancer cells. A lymph node biopsy is also done to check the spread of cancer cells to axillary lymph nodes present under the arms.
Complete Blood Count:
This test is done to detect the kinds and number of cells present in the blood.
Chemistry Screen:
This is done to measure the several components of the blood.
Next page: Treatment of breast cancer
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 22, 2012