Uneven Breast Size?? Checkout these Breast Cancer Tests

Breast Cancer Test – Breast cancer is a globally disturbing condition in women. According to WHO reports, there were 7 lakhs deaths in the year 2020 due to breast cancer. Around 2.5 million women in 2020 had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The breast cancer condition is so normal that every 4th woman diagnosed has breast cancer. This shows the importance of diagnostic techniques in women’s lives.

This article entails information regarding major diagnostic tests for breast cancer that must be in the knowledge of every woman. This article explains how breast cancer is diagnosed, the major procedures involved, risk factors in diagnosing breast issues, importance of diagnostic procedures in breast cancers, etc.

Why did my doctor ask me for a breast cancer diagnostic test?

Various diagnostic tests are recommended by doctors to detect the type and form of breast cancer when they observe some or all of the following symptoms:

1. 1. The mammogram report is pointing to the growth of masses inside the breasts. 
2. 2. In a physical examination by the doctor, there are some nodules or lumps in the breasts of the patient.
3. 3. During the self-examination, if the woman herself felt some sort of hardness or irregularity in the growth or shape of the breast.
4. 4. In a few cases, there might be redness or swelling of the nodes inside the breast or near the underarms.
5.  

Diagnostic tests to check breast health 

Breast cancer diagnosis involves a variety of tests. Doctors decide on different breast diagnostic tests for different cases on the basis of the type of symptoms a patient complains of, the age of the patient, and another medical history. Various factors considered by doctors while recommending diagnostic tests for breasts include:

1. 1. Symptoms exhibited by breasts
2. 2. Suspected cancer type
3. 3. Health status of a person and the age
4. 4. Medical history and other health conditions
5.  

Check the following list of diagnostic tests that are important in breast cancer diagnosis:

After a physical examination of the breasts, 

Primary diagnosis is carried out through Imaging tests:

You might have observed black sheets with white or greyish body parts on them; these are the reports of X-rays or ultrasounds. These are called imaging tests which provide results on sheets, and doctors can see inside the body with the help of these tests. Some of the imaging tests which are helpful in detecting breast cancer are as follows:

1. 1. Ultrasound: The ultrasound is an essential test to detect a cyst or a cancerous mass.
2. 2. Diagnostic mammography: This test involves detailed pictures of inside breast tissues to identify the reason behind nipple discharge or lumps.
3. 3. MRI: It is quite a safe test that employs magnetic waves instead of harmful X- rays and can lead to cancer. When a contrast dye is used during MRI, the target tissues are highlighted more clearly than in plain MRI.
4.  

After getting the reports from Imaging tests, the doctor recommends a breast biopsy

A breast biopsy is an invasive test which involves the excision of a minute part of breast tissue through various techniques and observation of this breast tissue under various biochemical or microbial examinations. Breast biopsy samples are analysed for various conditions; these are as follows; 

1. 1. Tumour features
2. 2. Oestrogen receptors
3. 3. Epidermal growth receptors
4. 4. Tumour grade
5.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which diagnostic tests should I follow to check my breasts are healthy?

Ans. Breast cancer diagnosis involves a variety of tests. Doctors decide on different breast diagnostic tests for different cases on the basis of the type of symptoms a patient complains of, the age of the patient, and another medical history. Various factors considered by a doctor while recommending diagnostic tests for breast include:

1. 1. Symptoms exhibited by breasts
2. 2. Suspected cancer type
3. 3. Health status of a person and the age
4. 4. Medical history and other health conditions
5.  

Imaging tests: The medical test to see the inside of a particular part of the body or tissue.

1. 1. Ultrasound: The ultrasound is an essential test to detect a cyst or a cancerous mass.
2. 2. Diagnostic mammography: This test involves detailed pictures of inside breast tissues to identify the reason behind nipple discharge or lumps.
3. 3. MRI: It is quite a safe test that employs magnetic waves instead of harmful X- rays which are harmful and can lead to cancer. When a contrast dye is used during MRI, the target tissues are highlighted more clearly than in plain MRI.
4.  

Breast biopsy: Breast biopsy is an invasive test which involves the excision of a minute part of breast tissue through various techniques and observation of this breast tissue under various biochemical or microbial examinations. Breast biopsy samples are analysed for various conditions; these are as follows; 

1. 1. Tumour features
2. 2. Oestrogen receptors
3. 3. Epidermal growth receptors
4. 4. Tumour grade
5.  

Q2. Why did my doctor ask me for a breast cancer diagnostic test?

Various diagnostic tests are recommended by doctors to detect the type and form of breast cancer when they observe some or all of the following symptoms:

1. 1. A mammogram report is pointing to the growth of masses inside the breasts. 
2. 2. In a physical examination by the doctor, there are some nodules or lumps in the breasts of the patient.
3. 3. During the self-examination, if the woman herself felt some sort of hardness or irregularity in the growth or shape of the breast.
4. 4. In a few cases, there might be redness or swelling of the nodes inside the breast or near the underarms.
5.  

Q3. Why is a contrast MRI done for breast problems?

Contrast MRI is quite a safe test that employs magnetic waves instead of harmful X- rays and can lead to cancer. When a contrast dye is used during MRI, the target tissues are highlighted more clearly than in plain MRI. 

Q4. What will be the events in breast diagnostic testing?

1. 1. When a woman observes some problems, any defect, irregular growth, size, shape in one or both the breasts she must do a self examination of her breasts and if she found some lump or uneven growth, pain in the breasts she must visit a doctor for checkup.

2. 2. Physical examination of breasts: Doctors examine the breast through various methods to check for nipple discharge, position of lump or cyst, or cancerous growth.

3. 3. After attaining information regarding the suspected breast problem, the doctor will advise specific breast diagnostic tests according to the symptoms and breast disease condition. Primary diagnosis is carried out through Imaging tests. The imaging tests will open up the detailed insight of the breast tissue conditions, and also the type of lump present inside the breast, is it a cyst or cancerous growth of fatty tissues. 

4. 4. On the basis of the imaging test procedures the doctor will decide whether a woman should undergo a breast biopsy or the treatment can be proceeded only with the help of imaging tests.

5. 5. After observing the reports from breast imaging tests, and considering other factors like age, previous medical conditions, etc. the doctor recommends the type of breast biopsy a woman needs to undergo.

6.  

Q5. Is it safe to undergo breast diagnosis?

Yes, Breast diagnosis testing is safe. Women undergoing diagnostic tests must assure that they book their appointments with recognised and highly qualified professionals. Imaging tests are non-invasive diagnostic tools that are completely safe. However, frequent exposure to harmful radiation might cause some problems with breasts.

Q6. How do doctors analyse breast biopsy samples?

Breast biopsy is an invasive test which involves the excision of a minute part of breast tissue through various techniques and observation of this breast tissue under various biochemical or microbial examinations. Breast biopsy samples are analysed for various conditions; these are as follows; 

1. 1. Tumour features
2. 2. Oestrogen receptors
3. 3. Epidermal growth receptors
4. 4. Tumour grade
5.  

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