What are the procedures to finding out breast cancer and should I be worried about the masses that were found?

Question

What are the procedures to finding out breast cancer and should I be worried about the masses that were found?

Answer 1

Firstly you should know the symptoms of Breast cancer and have self examination of the b*****s for any possible lump. The general symptoms of breast cancer are -

Knowing the signs and symptoms of breast cancer may help save your life. When the disease is discovered early, you have more treatment options and a better chance for a cure.

Most breast lumps aren't cancerous. Yet the most common sign of breast cancer for both men and women is a lump or thickening in the breast. Often, the lump is painless. Other potential signs of breast cancer include:

    * A spontaneous clear or bloody discharge from your nipple, often associated with a breast lump

    * Retraction or indentation of your nipple

    * A change in the size or contours of your breast

    * Any flattening or indentation of the skin over your breast

    * Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange

A number of conditions other than breast cancer can cause your b*****s to change in size or feel. Breast tissue changes naturally during pregnancy and your menstrual cycle. Other possible causes of noncancerous (benign) breast changes include fibrocystic changes, cysts, fibroadenomas, infection or injury.

Secondly if you have any doubt the following examinations can be performed to get confirmation about the presence of disease.

Screening — looking for evidence of disease before signs or symptoms appear — is the key to finding breast cancer in its early, treatable stages. Depending on your age and risk factors, screening may include breast self-examination, examination by your nurse or doctor (clinical breast exam), mammograms (mammography) or other tests.

Breast self-examination

Breast self-examination is an option beginning at age 20. By becoming proficient at breast self-examination and familiar with the usual appearance and feel of your b*****s, you may be able to detect early signs of cancer. Learn how your b*****s typically look and feel and watch for changes. If you detect a change, promptly bring it to your doctor's attention. Have your doctor review your examination technique if you'd like input or you have questions.

Clinical breast exam

Unless you have a family history of cancer or other factors that place you at high risk, the American Cancer Society recommends having clinical breast exams once every three years until age 40. After that, the American Cancer Society recommends having a yearly clinical exam.

During this exam, your doctor examines your b*****s for lumps or other changes. He or she may be able to feel lumps you miss when you examine your own b*****s and will also check for enlarged lymph nodes in your armpit (axilla).

Mammogram

A mammogram, which uses a series of X-ray images of your breast tissue, is currently the best imaging technique for detecting tumors before you or your doctor can feel them. For that reason, the American Cancer Society has long recommended screening mammography for all women over 40.

A biopsy — a small sample of tissue removed for analysis in the laboratory — is the only test that can tell if cancer is present. Biopsies can provide important information about an unusual breast change and help determine whether surgery is needed and if so, the type of surgery required.

If you have any masses and doubt before doing any of the above tests you should contact an oncologist and have the tests done. -

Answer 2

First step is mammogram and ultrasound. If they find any suspicious lumps they will do a biopsy... sometimes a fine needle one right then and there. Once that is done, a pathologist looks at it and determines if it is cancer or not... then that report goes back to your doctor. It typically takes about 3 weeks.