Diagnosis - Newly Diagnosed, Understanding Your Diagnosis, More Tests
Get help for newly diagnosed patients. You can understand your diagnosis, know what disease stages mean and how that affects your treatment and options. More tests might be needed - understand the reasons for the tests and what results will mean for you.
Ductogram (Galactogram) - Diagnosing Nipple Discharge
A ductogram, also called a galactogram, is helpful in diagnosing nipple discharge, ductal ectasia, fibrocystic changes, intraductal papillomas and breast cancer.
A ductogram, also called a galactogram, is helpful in diagnosing nipple discharge, ductal ectasia, fibrocystic changes, intraductal papillomas and breast cancer.
Tumor Grade
Tumor grade is part of the data that will appear on your pathology report. Knowing your tumor grade helps your doctor decide on the most effective treatments for the best outcome. Breast cancer is graded using the Bloom-Richardson scoring system. Learn more about tumor grade.
Tumor grade is part of the data that will appear on your pathology report. Knowing your tumor grade helps your doctor decide on the most effective treatments for the best outcome. Breast cancer is graded using the Bloom-Richardson scoring system. Learn more about tumor grade.
Oncotype DX Multi-Gene Assay Test for Early Stage Breast Cancer
Oncotype DX is a diagnostic test that helps you and your oncologist determine which treatment plan will most effectively prevent your cancer from returning (recurrence) or help to control your disease. If you get a low score on this test, you may be able to avoid chemotherapy. Learn more about Oncotype DX.
Oncotype DX is a diagnostic test that helps you and your oncologist determine which treatment plan will most effectively prevent your cancer from returning (recurrence) or help to control your disease. If you get a low score on this test, you may be able to avoid chemotherapy. Learn more about Oncotype DX.
Sentinel Node Biopsy What To Expect During Sentinel Node Biopsy
A sentinel lymph node biopsy is an important part of your breast cancer diagnosis and staging. Cancer cells from the tumor may spread to other parts of your body through your lymph system, and so checking on those lymph nodes will reveal whether any metastasis has occured. Learn what to expect during a sentinel lymph node biopsy, during recovery, and getting results.
A sentinel lymph node biopsy is an important part of your breast cancer diagnosis and staging. Cancer cells from the tumor may spread to other parts of your body through your lymph system, and so checking on those lymph nodes will reveal whether any metastasis has occured. Learn what to expect during a sentinel lymph node biopsy, during recovery, and getting results.
Diagnosis of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is diagnosed with several screening tools mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, elastography, ductal lavage, and aspiration. If those tests are not conclusive, you may need a breast biopsy. Your tissue sample will reveal whether or not you have breast cancer, as well as what fuels the cancer, and what stage it is ranked. Learn how breast cancer is diagnosed.
Breast cancer is diagnosed with several screening tools mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, elastography, ductal lavage, and aspiration. If those tests are not conclusive, you may need a breast biopsy. Your tissue sample will reveal whether or not you have breast cancer, as well as what fuels the cancer, and what stage it is ranked. Learn how breast cancer is diagnosed.
Ductal Lavage Screening for Pre-Cancerous and Cancerous Breast Cells
Ductal Lavage has been referred to as the "Pap smear for the breast." With a very tiny tube, fluid can be sampled from the breast ducts, and examined under a microscope or screened at the molecular level for cancer cells.
Ductal Lavage has been referred to as the "Pap smear for the breast." With a very tiny tube, fluid can be sampled from the breast ducts, and examined under a microscope or screened at the molecular level for cancer cells.
Breast Ultrasound - Imaging for Breast Abnormalities
A breast ultrasound may be needed if your mammogram shows indistinct masses, or if a lump can be easily felt during a clinical breast exam. In dense breast tissue, ultrasonography can image soft tissue and produce a sharp, high-contrast image. This is useful when your doctor needs to distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst or a suspicious mass.
A breast ultrasound may be needed if your mammogram shows indistinct masses, or if a lump can be easily felt during a clinical breast exam. In dense breast tissue, ultrasonography can image soft tissue and produce a sharp, high-contrast image. This is useful when your doctor needs to distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst or a suspicious mass.
Breast Ultrasound Exam What to Expect
A breast ultrasound exam is usually done after a mammogram or clinical exam reveals an area of concern that doesnt show up distinctly. Very little pressure is used, and the exam is usually painless. Since ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves instead of x-rays, your breast is not exposed to radiation. Here's what to expect during your breast ultrasound exam.
A breast ultrasound exam is usually done after a mammogram or clinical exam reveals an area of concern that doesnt show up distinctly. Very little pressure is used, and the exam is usually painless. Since ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves instead of x-rays, your breast is not exposed to radiation. Here's what to expect during your breast ultrasound exam.
BIRADS Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System
Your mammogram report includes many technical details, and one section will show you a BIRADS score. This indicates the radiologist's opinion of the absence or likelihood of breast cancer. Understanding this score is important to your diagnosis and treatment, if any is needed.
Your mammogram report includes many technical details, and one section will show you a BIRADS score. This indicates the radiologist's opinion of the absence or likelihood of breast cancer. Understanding this score is important to your diagnosis and treatment, if any is needed.
Elastography - Staying in Touch With Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
Elastography is a new technology for imaging breast tissue, and it may be better than mammography, ultrasound, and MRI at distinguishing between benign and cancerous areas. Elastograms can find a cancerous lump without the need for a biopsy.
Elastography is a new technology for imaging breast tissue, and it may be better than mammography, ultrasound, and MRI at distinguishing between benign and cancerous areas. Elastograms can find a cancerous lump without the need for a biopsy.
Tumor Marker Test Overview Breast Cancer Tumor Marker Tests
Tumor markers are substances that show up in your blood, urine, or tumor. Oncologists use tumor marker tests to detect, diagnose, and monitor cancer. There are several tumor marker tests specific to breast cancer. Learn how your test results affect your diagnosis and treatment.
Tumor markers are substances that show up in your blood, urine, or tumor. Oncologists use tumor marker tests to detect, diagnose, and monitor cancer. There are several tumor marker tests specific to breast cancer. Learn how your test results affect your diagnosis and treatment.
Stages of Breast Cancer
What are the stages of breast cancer? How do the stages relate to the tumor size, the lymph node status, and if the cancer has spread? Understand the stage of a breast cancer diagnosis and how it relates to your treatment options.
What are the stages of breast cancer? How do the stages relate to the tumor size, the lymph node status, and if the cancer has spread? Understand the stage of a breast cancer diagnosis and how it relates to your treatment options.
Hormone Receptor Status and Diagnosis - Estogen and Progesterone
Estrogen and Progesterone biomarker tests results will appear on your pathology report. Understanding the test results is important, because this information affects your treatment as well as your follow-up care, if you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Estrogen and Progesterone biomarker tests results will appear on your pathology report. Understanding the test results is important, because this information affects your treatment as well as your follow-up care, if you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.
HER2/neu and Diagnosis
HER2, which is also called HER2/neu, and HER-2, is the acronym for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Knowing your HER2 status is an important part of your diagnosis.
HER2, which is also called HER2/neu, and HER-2, is the acronym for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Knowing your HER2 status is an important part of your diagnosis.
Emotions and Breast Cancer: Expressing, Coping, Surviving
A diagnosis of breast cancer is a great shock. Women report that they fear breast cancer more than heart disease, even though they have a better chance of surviving breast cancer, and dying of stroke or heart failure. Read about some normal emotions that you may experience at diagnosis and during treatment, and ways to cope.
A diagnosis of breast cancer is a great shock. Women report that they fear breast cancer more than heart disease, even though they have a better chance of surviving breast cancer, and dying of stroke or heart failure. Read about some normal emotions that you may experience at diagnosis and during treatment, and ways to cope.
Breast Cancer Chemotherapy Drugs and Infertility
Which chemotherapy drugs used for breast cancer treatment may cause you to become infertile? What are the other probable causes that you need to consider? Here's a list of drugs that you may want to discuss with your oncologist.
Which chemotherapy drugs used for breast cancer treatment may cause you to become infertile? What are the other probable causes that you need to consider? Here's a list of drugs that you may want to discuss with your oncologist.
Fertility and Chemotherapy - Know Your Options Before Treatment
Chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer has many side effects, one of which is estrogen suppression. This can cause your ovaries to stop working for a while and you might experience medical menopause, or chemopause. In addition, you may be infertile during treatment. If you are not already in menopause before you start chemo, consider your options before you begin treatment.
Chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer has many side effects, one of which is estrogen suppression. This can cause your ovaries to stop working for a while and you might experience medical menopause, or chemopause. In addition, you may be infertile during treatment. If you are not already in menopause before you start chemo, consider your options before you begin treatment.
Reconstruction Considerations - How to Consider Your Options
If you will have a mastectomy, you may be asked to consider immediate reconstruction. What are some things to think about, in making your decision?
If you will have a mastectomy, you may be asked to consider immediate reconstruction. What are some things to think about, in making your decision?
Tumor Grades and Prognosis
How will you know if a tumor is slow or fast-growing? What is the Bloom-Richardson score about? Read a good explanation from the National Cancer Institute.
How will you know if a tumor is slow or fast-growing? What is the Bloom-Richardson score about? Read a good explanation from the National Cancer Institute.
Sentinel Lymph Node Test
Cancer can travel through the lymph system, and the sentinel lymph node test can help discover whether there is any, or no spread of disease. Are you a good candidate for this procedure? Read about this relatively new surgical technique and how it can help you, from breastcancer.org.
Cancer can travel through the lymph system, and the sentinel lymph node test can help discover whether there is any, or no spread of disease. Are you a good candidate for this procedure? Read about this relatively new surgical technique and how it can help you, from breastcancer.org.
Hormone Status and Diagnosis
What do the estrogen and progesterone numbers on your pathology report mean? How will that affect your treatment options? Here is a simple explanation from breastcancer.org.
What do the estrogen and progesterone numbers on your pathology report mean? How will that affect your treatment options? Here is a simple explanation from breastcancer.org.