Your doctor will perform a careful physical exam that includes personal and family medical history as well as determining the current overall health status, to determine the cause of any signs or symptoms. Moreover, the examination may include the following: Palpation - feeling carefully the lump and the surrounding tissue, their size, texture and follow if this one moves easily. Benign lumps often are different from cancerous ones on palpation.
Examination of nipple discharge - a spontaneous nipple discharge in some kind of fluid which is to be sent to a lab to check for cancer cells. Most nipple secretions are not necessary considered cancer, since an infection, an injury, or a benign tumor may be the cause of such type of discharge. You can use a procedure called ductal lavage in women with a high risk of breast cancer. Ductal lavage is a procedure that collects cells from inside the milk duct system, the location where the majority of existing breast cancers.
Besides the physical examination by your doctor, an examination of diagnostic imaging is necessary. The imaging tests may include one or more of the following:
Diagnostic mammogram - a diagnostic mammogram is an application of X-ray of the breast used to diagnose unusual breast changes, such as a lump, pain, nipple thickening or discharge, or a change in the size or shape of the breast. A diagnostic mammogram is also used to evaluate abnormalities detected on a mammogram. It is a basic medical tool and is appropriate for the investigation of breast changes, regardless of the age of women.
Digital mammography (also called full-field digital mammography, or FFDM- a type of mammography in which images are captured electronically and stored on a computer, rather than on film. Images can be viewed on a computer screen.
For better viewing, these images can be changed, as the level of magnification, brightness or contrast. They can also be transmitted electronically. While this procedure currently costs more than standard mammography, studies are underway to see which type of mammography is most beneficial for women, the long term. Some studies have found FFDM to be more accurate in finding cancers in women younger than 50 years.
Furthermore, it was found that women who take digital mammography do not have to return for additional studies are done as often as those who undergo standard mammography because the digital images have fewer questionable spots needing more investigation. However, not all hospitals and mammography facilities have digital equipment.
Ultrasound - uses high frequency sound waves that the human ear does not detect. The sound waves enter the breast and return to the machine. The pattern of their echoes produces a picture called a sonogram, shown on a screen. This test is often performed along with mammography. For more information, you can buy and read some books on breast cancer. For books on breast cancer, you can check amazon.com.