Detecting Breast Cancer

In general, the earlier a breast cancer is found, the better your chances for successful treatment. Early stages of breast cancer commonly do not produce symptoms. So, it's important to have regular mammograms and clinical breast exams to increase the chances for a cure if a cancer is found.

If you notice a symptom such as a lump, nipple discharge, or changes in the skin such as redness or skin retraction, report this immediately to your doctor. The doctor will take a full history, asking questions about when you first noticed the problem and whether the symptoms change according to the timing of your menstrual cycle. Your doctor will examine your breasts and the lymph node areas under your arms and around your collarbones, and will outline a plan for further evaluation.

A good approach for both you and your doctor is to suspect cancer until it's been ruled out and to move along to each diagnostic step promptly. If you or your doctor notice a lump or other abnormality, the next step will usually be a mammogram and an ultrasound of the breast.

If these tests are normal and you are premenopausal, your doctor may advise waiting and reexamining you after your next menstrual period has passed. If the lump remains, he or she will refer you to a surgeon for biopsy.

If mammogram and ultrasound do not show a cyst or a solid tumor, and you are past menopause, your primary care doctor should refer you to a breast surgeon for further examination. Most breast surgeons will recommend a biopsy.

If your surgeon doesn't recommend a biopsy but you still feel the lump is present or your breast feels different than usual, ask why a biopsy is not needed now. At the least, you will need another examination in a month or request a second opinion.

Next >>  Breast Self-Exam and Clinical Exam

In This Article:
Detecting Breast Cancer
Breast Self-Exam and Clinical Exam
Mammography
Breast Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Breast Ductogram
Breast Biopsy

From the Harvard Health Publications Special Health Report, Breast Cancer: Strategies for Living. Copyright 2004 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. Illustrations by Harriet Greenfield, M.A., and Jesse Tarantino. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell. Harvard Medical School does not endorse products.
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