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 test uses sound waves to build up a picture of the inside of the body. It is usually used for women under 35.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this biopsy the whole lump is removed under a general anaesthetic and sent to a laboratory for examination.

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.

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.