Tests for breast cancer
Like many other cancers, there are ways that you can detect breast cancer early so that you can start treatment as soon as possible and increase the likelihood of survival. The tests that are available for breast cancer detection are varied. Some tests are less invasive than others. Likewise, some tests are more conclusive than others. Below you will find a list of tests that are used for the detection or diagnosis of breast cancer.
Self-examinations - Women are encouraged to perform a self-examination each month. A self-examination for breast cancer consists of feeling the breast to detect if there are any abnormalities, usually in the form of a lump. Breast self-exams are usually conducted when the woman is in the shower and only take a few minutes to perform. Many women concerned about breast health believe that a self-exam is a very simple and private method of remembering the importance of being aware of your breast health. While these self examinations should not replace the annual examination done by a health professional, evidence does suggest that they are beneficial, if even as a reminder to be thinking about optimal health.
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Mammograms - A mammogram is the screening test of choice when it comes to detecting breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that women 40 years old and up have an annual mammogram. Mammograms can help detect 85 to 90 percent of all breast cancers. This cancer can be detected with a mammogram long before you would ever feel a lump in a self-examination. The mammogram has a bad reputation for being uncomfortable or awkward, and while this may very well be the case for some, the discomfort of the compression involved with this test is needed in order to produce and accurate reading and possible diagnosis following further examination.
Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - A breast MRI reveals different details of your breast health than a mammogram, for this reason some health care professionals choose to use this test as a compliment to the mammogram. Unlike mammograms, the MRIs don't use compression, but because of their cost the MRIs are not as commonly used.
Elastography - Elastography is an investigational, technology for imaging breast tissue. It's advantage is that it may be able to be better at distinguishing between benign and cancerous growths than the MRI or mammogram are. Elastograms are also beneficial because they have the potential to find a cancerous lump without a biopsy.
If a breast lump is detected, then tests need to be done in order to determine whether or not the mass is cancerous. These tests to determine whether or not a lump is cancerous are called pathology tests. Pathology tests involve taking a sample of the tissue or fluid where the cancer is suspected and a pathologist test that sample. These pathology tests are distinguished by whether they are fluid samples or tissue samples. Fluid tests include ductal lavages and aspirations. In a ductal lavage a tiny tube is inserted into the breast and fluid is drawn from the breast ducts. During an aspiration a fine needle is used to suction out a sample of the fluid from a lump. Tests that are done on the tissue of the breast are called breast biopsies. In a biopsy, the surgeon can remove a very small tissue sample from your breast. The tissue is then tested and examined under a microscope to determine if there is any cancer present.
Early detection is the goal when it comes to having tests done for breast cancer. These tests can be the first step in determining the course of action needed to increase the rate of survival in the patient.
