Breast Cancer
| Causes & symptoms | The Treatment | Questions | 
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How Does The Docter Make The Diagnosis?
Preliminary Test
Mammography
This is an X-ray technique for examining the breast. It is especially useful for detecting early changes in the breast when it may be difficult to feel a lump.
This is an X-ray technique for examining the breast. It is especially useful for detecting early changes in the breast when it may be difficult to feel a lump.
Ultrasound
This test uses sound waves to build up a picture of the inside of the body. It is usually used for women under 35.
This test uses sound waves to build up a picture of the inside of the body. It is usually used for women under 35.
Needle aspiration
Using a fine needle and syringe, the doctor takes a sample of cells from the breast lump and sends it to the laboratory to see if it contains any malignant cells. This simple technique may also be used to drain a benign cyst.
Using a fine needle and syringe, the doctor takes a sample of cells from the breast lump and sends it to the laboratory to see if it contains any malignant cells. This simple technique may also be used to drain a benign cyst.
Needle biopsy
This test uses a slightly larger needle than the one used for aspiration. It is done under a local anaesthetic which numbs the area and allows the doctor to take a biopsy which is a small piece of tissue from the lump. The sample is examined in the laboratory to check for signs of cancer.
This test uses a slightly larger needle than the one used for aspiration. It is done under a local anaesthetic which numbs the area and allows the doctor to take a biopsy which is a small piece of tissue from the lump. The sample is examined in the laboratory to check for signs of cancer.
Colour Doppler
Certain types of ultrasound machine show the blood supply to the lump and this may help to distinguish between a cancer and a benign lump.
Certain types of ultrasound machine show the blood supply to the lump and this may help to distinguish between a cancer and a benign lump.
Blood tests
Samples of your blood will be taken to check your general health, the number of cells in your blood (blood count) will tell how well your kidneys and liver are working. Your blood may also be tested to see whether it contains particular chemicals (called markers) which are sometimes produced by cancer cells.
Samples of your blood will be taken to check your general health, the number of cells in your blood (blood count) will tell how well your kidneys and liver are working. Your blood may also be tested to see whether it contains particular chemicals (called markers) which are sometimes produced by cancer cells.
Excision biopsy
In this biopsy the whole lump is removed under a general anaesthetic and sent to a laboratory for examination.
In this biopsy the whole lump is removed under a general anaesthetic and sent to a laboratory for examination.
Futher Tests
If the earlier tests show that you have breast cancer your doctor may want to do some further tests to see if there has been any spread of the disease. This helps the doctor to decide on the best type of treatment for you. The tests may include any of the following.
Liver ultrasound scan
Used to measure the size and position of any tumour.
Used to measure the size and position of any tumour.
Bone scan
A mildly radioactive substance is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. Abnormal bone takes up more radioactivity than normal bone. This radioactivity is picked up by the scanner.
A mildly radioactive substance is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. Abnormal bone takes up more radioactivity than normal bone. This radioactivity is picked up by the scanner.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
This test uses magnetism to build up cross-sectional pictures of your body. It can look at breast tissue, or other areas of the body.
This test uses magnetism to build up cross-sectional pictures of your body. It can look at breast tissue, or other areas of the body.
