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.
- Why Not Annual Ultrasounds Instead of Annual Mammograms?
- All About Mammograms
- Having a Mammogram
- Mammogram Views for Routine and Diagnostic Screening
- Mammogram Images, Descriptions and Details
- Understanding Your Mammogram Report
- Breast Ultrasound - Imaging for Breast Abnormalities
- Ductogram (Galactogram) For Nipple Discharge Diagnosis
- Breast Ultrasound Exam - What to Expect
- Elastography for Breast Cancer Detection
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
- 10 Questions to Ask After Your Breast Biopsy
- Fine-Needle Aspiration FNA
- Core Needle Biopsy CNA
- Stereotactic Breast Biopsy
- Open Surgical Biopsy
- Ductal Lavage - Screening for Cancer & Pre-Cancerous Cells
- Sentinel Node Biopsy - What To Expect
- Axillary Lymph Node Dissection
- Lymph Node Status and Your Treatment Decisions
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.
- Hormone Receptor Status and Diagnosis
- Hormone - Definition of Breast Cancer Hormones
- HER2/neu and Diagnosis
- Estrogen and Your Health
Diagnosis Details
Breast cancer is not just one disease, and a diagnosis is not made of just one detail. You need to know many aspects about your cancer, in order to have the complete diagnosis.
