How is breast cancer diagnosed?

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How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will perform a breast examination and ask about your family history, medical history and any existing symptoms. Your healthcare provider will also recommend tests to check for breast abnormalities. These tests may include:

  • Mammogram. These special X-ray images can detect changes or abnormal growths in your breast. A mammogram is commonly used in breast cancer prevention.
  • Ultrasonography. This test uses sound waves to take pictures of the tissues inside of your breast. It’s used to help diagnose breast lumps or abnormalities.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning: A PET scan uses special dyes to highlight suspicious areas. During this test, your healthcare provider injects a special dye into your veins and takes images with the scanner.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test uses magnets and radio waves to produce clear, detailed images of the structures inside of your breast.

If your healthcare provider sees anything suspicious on the imaging tests, they may take a biopsy of your breast tissue. They’ll send the sample to a pathology lab for analysis.

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