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.
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 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.
- Having a Mammogram
- Mammogram Views for Routine and Diagnostic Screening
- Mammogram Images, Descriptions and Details
- Understanding Your Mammogram Report
- Elastography for Breast Cancer Detection
- Breast Ultrasound - Imaging for Breast Abnormalities
- Breast Ultrasound Exam - What to Expect
- Ductogram (Galactogram) For Nipple Discharge Diagnosis
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 Biopsy Overview
- Ductal Lavage Screening for Pre-Cancerous and Cancerous Breast Cells
- Sentinel Node Biopsy - What To Expect During Sentinel Node Biopsy
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.
- Stages of Breast Cancer
- Staging and the TNM System - A Comparison Table
- Tumor Grade - Rate of Tumor Growth
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.
