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Breast Cancer Symptoms and Diagnosis

By Pam Stephan, About.com Guide to Breast Cancer

If you see or feel a change during your breast self-exam, it's good to know which changes are normal and which are worrisome. Learn what to expect and when to see your doctor. If a lump appears and turns out to be cancerous, there are many things your doctor will need to find out to determine your diagnosis. Know what tests will be done and how a diagnosis is made.

  1. Breast Lumps
  2. Skin Changes
  3. Imaging Studies
  1. Breast Biopsies
  2. Breast Cancer Staging
  3. Hormone Status

Breast Lumps

All breast lumps are not cancer. Learn about the four kinds of breast lumps and how they differ from one another.

Skin Changes

Skin changes on your breast can signal something as ordinary as a rash or sunburn. However, they can also indicate underlying breast cancer. Learn more about Paget's Disease and Inflammatory Breast Cancer and how they are detected.

Imaging Studies

Breast Cancer Cell

Breast imaging is done to diagnosis breast cancer as well as catch it early on. Imaging studies include: mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI, PET scans, CAT scans, and elastography.

Breast Biopsies

A biopsy is a procedure that takes a sample of tissue that is then sent for testing by a lab. It's important to get accurate results from a biopsy. If there is any disease, it's the biopsy result that will help to determine what your next course of action should be.

Breast Cancer Staging

What are the stages of breast cancer? How do the stages relate to the tumor size, 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 Status

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.

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