With breast cancer any changes within the breast should be reported to your doctor for advice.If your doctor is concerned you will referred to a specialist who will carry out a series of tests. The tests will include an examination, mammogram and ultrasound.
If there are changes in the breast then they may include:
- Discharge from the nipple
- Lumps or thickening of tissue
- The appearance of puckering or pulled skin
- Inverted nipple which was not inverted before
- Sensation or pain or unusual appearance of the breast
- A lump or swelling in the armpit
- Change in the shape and size of the breast
Mammogram
To screen for breast cancer, an x-ray of the breast is taken and this is known as a mammogram. During a mammogram you are exposed to only a small amount of radiation and there is less than a 1 in 25,000 risk of a mammogram causing breast cancer.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is used to see if a breast lump contains fluid or is solid. Also as younger women’s breasts are dense it can be used to assist with a mammogram. During an ultrasound scan a gel is applied to the breast as this helps transmit the sound waves to the microphone. The microphone is passed over the breast and a picture is formed on a screen. An ultrasound scan is completely painless.
If a cyst is found your doctor may drain the fluid using a fine needle. If the lump is solid a very fine needle may be used to take a tissue sample in order to check for cancer cells.
Needle aspiration
This test is done by the doctor using a fine needle and syringe so that a small sample of cells can be removed from the breast lump. The sample will then be sent to a laboratory to see if these cells are malignant. Sometimes the doctor is unable to get a sample this way and may need to perform a needle biopsy or excision biopsy.
Needle biopsy
A needle biopsy is also known as a core biopsy. This test is performed under a local anaesthetic so that the doctor is able to take a core of tissue from the lump using a slightly bigger needle than the one used for needle aspiration. The sample is then sent to a laboratory and with this type of test it is possible to tell a non-invasive cancer (DCIS) from an invasive cancer.
Excision biopsy
An excision biopsy is sometimes known as a surgical biopsy. The procedure is a minor operation and is done under general anaesthetic. The biopsy is then sent to a laboratory for examination.
Test results
It can be an anxious time waiting for test results. Some test results may be given on the same day and others given after 24 hours, 48 hours or longer. It is advisable to ask your specialist when you are likely to receive your test results.