How does your doctor confirm that you have breast cancer?

Various tests are used by your doctor to make the diagnosis, the most important ones being:

• Mammography (Breast X-rays)
• Ultrasound (A method using the echo of sound waves to detect a breast lump)
• Needle aspiration (Sampling of breast cells by use of a fine needle and syringe) 
• Needle biopsy (Removal of a small piece of tissue from the breast lump using a slightly larger needle)
• Excision biopsy (Removal of the breast lump under an anaesthetic)

After one or more of the initial tests above, you may be referred to a more specialist hospital for further tests, advice or treatment. Here the doctor will note your medical history and then do a physical examination. He or she will examine your breasts and feel for any enlarged lymph nodes in your armpits and at the base of your neck. A chest X-ray and blood test may also be taken, to check your general health.

For a more detailed overview of all aspects of diagnosis click here