How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed? What Tests Are Used?

Breast cancer can be diagnosed through different stages of tests, which are often suggested by doctors.

But there’s always a high level of uncertainty that people feel after noticing a breast lump or receiving abnormal mammogram results.

But the truth is, not every lump or abnormal imaging result is proof of breast cancer.

This is why your doctor may suggest multiple tests to identify whether your lump is cancerous or not.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how breast cancer is diagnosed, its signs and symptoms, and when to see your doctor.

When Should You Get Checked for Breast Cancer?

If you have ever observed the following symptoms in your breast, there is a need to seek instant medical attention.

Some of these signs consists of a lump in your breast or underarm, swelling in part of your breast, a noticeable change in the size or shape of your breast, unusual redness of the skin, or bloody nipple discharge.

These are among the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.

Most importantly, if you have had a mammogram before and it shows an abnormal result, even when you don’t have any symptoms yet, it is important to reach out to your doctor.

This is because screening is different from diagnosis.

Actually, what screening does is look for any possible signs of cancer in people who don’t have symptoms, but diagnosis shows if there are any abnormal findings.

According to the National Cancer Institute, when one goes for a mammogram and it shows abnormal results, that can lead to some tests, such as breast ultrasound and biopsy.

So, when you are referred for other tests after a mammogram, it doesn’t always mean that you have cancer.

This is so important to understand because a doctor can recommend this series of tests even if you have no symptoms or your lump is painless.

After your tests, there could be a chance that your breast changes might have cancerous causes or might not.

Also, it is important to note that having had a recent mammogram should not be used as a reason to ignore any new breast changes or abnormalities.

How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

When you visit your doctor for breast cancer diagnosis, there are certain steps and procedures to go through in order to give your doctor information about what is going on in your breast.

Medical History and Physical Breast Examination

1. Medical history : This is always the most important step to your diagnosis.

While doing this, your doctor may ask about the signs or symptoms you noticed in your breast the exact time you noticed the changes or when the changes started, and whether the change has increased or disappeared.

Your medical officer can also ask you about any past breast problems or your family medical history, most especially if any of your relatives have had breast cancer.

The sole aim of this is to understand your concern and to know which test is appropriate for you.

2. Breast examination: After the conversation about your medical history, your doctor can lead you to the examination room to examine your breast and nearby areas, which include the underarm, for any lump or unusual changes.

These examinations can now help your doctor identify areas that require further evaluation.

Imaging Tests Used to Diagnose Breast Cancer

Physical examinations are most times not enough to determine an issue with the breast, so imaging tests are used by the doctor to deeply examine breast issues and investigate those areas that seemed unusual during your screening test.

We’ll be looking at different types of imaging tests and when they are applied.

1. Diagnostic Mammography: Just as the name implies, it makes use of a low amount of X-rays to produce clear images of your breast.

This test can be requested when you have a breast lump or other signs related to it, or when your screening shows an area that needs a closer examination.

This is also used when your doctor needs more detailed views of a particular part of your breast.

So, in this case, it may involve several images taken from different angles. But a mammogram alone cannot tell whether cancer is present or not.

There is a need for further tests if the images show suspicious findings.

2. Breast Ultrasound: Another type of test used for clear imaging is breast ultrasound.

This test makes use of sound waves to create images of your breast’s internal structure. It does this without using X-rays.

Your doctor can suggest this to evaluate a lump or an abnormality identified during your breast examination.

One of its importance is that it differentiate between a cyst that is filled with fluid and a solid mass.

However a solid mass does not automatically imply that it is cancer, and an ultrasound cannot always reveal whether an abnormality is cancerous or not.

This is cannot replacement mammogram; rather, it complements it in some conditions.

3. Breast MRI: The next type of test is called breast MRI.

It uses a strong magnetic field, radio waves, and a computer to show detailed images of one’s breast tissue.

Just like breast ultrasound, this doesn’t make use of X-rays.

This is often used or recommended in certain situations that include cases involving people at high risk of breast cancer or when your doctor needs more information about your lump.

However, breast MRI is not necessary for everyone being tested for breast cancer.

Breast Biopsy: The Test That Can Confirm Breast Cancer

This next test is the standard way of confirming breast cancer.

The test is called a biopsy, and it involves collecting a sample of cells or tissue from a suspicious area so that it can be examined under a microscope.

Your doctor can ask for a biopsy if the images of your breast tissue shows a suspicious area.

There are different types of biopsy that can be used when assessing a breast for breast cancer. They include:

• Fine-needle aspiration: This is a process whereby a tiny needle is used to collect fluid or cells from an area that seems suspicious.
• Core-needle biopsy: Unlike fine-needle aspiration, in this process, a wider needle is used to collect a small tissue sample.
• Image-guided biopsy: In this case, some images, such as ultrasound, help the doctor guide the needle towards the areas that need to be evaluated.
• Surgical biopsy: This is a medical procedure that removes part or all of the affected area for examination.

Any one of these tests or methods can be done, but it always depends on the nature of the abnormality and where it is located.

What Happens After a Breast Biopsy?

After collecting the suspicious tissue or cells, a pathologist will examine them under a microscope and provide a report.

This report can now help to identify whether cancer is present.

And if it is, the report can go an extra mile to provide information about the type and characteristics of the cancer.

There might also be a need for more tests, such as tests for hormone receptors or HER2 testing, to help guide treatment decisions.

Other tests may be needed to determine whether the cancer has spread to different areas.

But these subsequent tests aren’t for every patient; it all depends on one’s findings.

Does an Abnormal Mammogram Mean You Have Breast Cancer?

Not all the time. When you have an abnormal result after undergoing a mammogram, it surely means that the particular area examined needs to be evaluated further.

It doesn’t outrightly identify cancer like a biopsy does.

According to the National Cancer Institute, people may be called back for further imaging or a biopsy after a mammogram, and most of the time, that abnormality does not turn out to be cancer.

This is why we highly recommend that you follow up with all the necessary medical procedures and be honest about the way you feel with your doctor.

Don’t always assume the worst or ignore your result because of fear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

When you are undergoing a diagnosis for cancer, it is important to understand that there are multiple steps to take, and they are all essential.

All of this depends on how severe one’s condition is.

It is never advisable to follow through with other people’s diagnoses and then assume the worst about your own.

If you ever notice any abnormal changes in your breast, whether it is painful or not, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention immediately.

At Gleneagles Hospital, we offer you quality medical imaging to identify any suspicious changes and can also help you work through your treatment journey. Visit us or call the numbers on our contact page.