Advanced technologies now available can detect breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages. The information below outlines some of the screening and diagnostic tests that can be used to detect breast cancer.
 

Screening Mammography Diagnostic Mammography Breast Ultrasound Imaging

Breast Biopsy Emerging Technologies

Screening Mammography

A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray procedure that has been specialized for breast examinations. It is especially useful in detecting abnormalities that are too small to be felt. During a screening mammogram, each breast is compressed between two x-ray plates. Usually, two images are taken of each breast.

Additional “views” may be requested by the radiologist if the breast tissue is especially dense or if the processing shows a defect in the film, not a problem with the breast. 

The American Cancer Society has long taken a leadership role in helping women understand how to get the most from screening mammography and the National Cancer Institute contributes much of the information that helps keep mammography guidelines consistent with current research data. Here are their current recommendations for women of different ages. Keep in mind however that your doctor may modify these recommendations based on your personal medical history.

• Women between the age of 29 and 39: Perform regular monthly breast self exam and have your doctor include a clinical breast examination as part of your office visit every 3 years.

 
• From the age of 40 and up: Perform regular monthly breast self exam, include a clinical breast examination each year, and begin annual mammograms.

 
• Women who are younger than 40 years of age but who are considered at higher risk for breast cancer should ask their doctor for an appropriate time to begin mammography and work with their physicians to develop an appropriate schedule of mammograms.

Diagnostic Mammography

A “diagnostic” mammogram may be taken as a follow-up evaluation of a change found on a screening mammogram or physical examination. The diagnostic mammogram may use a higher compression of the breast tissue in question, or a magnification process and special equipment. Another type of mammogram, called a digital mammogram, may be used for closer examination of certain “questionable” areas. In this technique, the information obtained from the mammogram machine is linked directly to a computer which enables the radiologist to “zoom” into a specific area of breast tissue for a closer look. 

Complete look at mammography presented by the American College of Radiology and the Radiological Society of North America.

Breast Ultrasound Imaging

Ultrasound scanning is another method for evaluating breast tissue. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the composition of a breast lump to distinguish fluid-filled masses from solid masses. 

Breast Biopsy

Needle-aspiration biopsy is used for diagnostic purposes. The least invasive of the biopsy techniques, needle biopsy involves use of a very tiny needle and syringe to extract material from the breast, usually when fluid is present. This material is then examined under a microscope and may have other laboratory examinations performed to determine if abnormal cells are present.

Core needle biopsy involves use of a larger needle to remove a small sample of breast tissue.

Incisional biopsy is a surgical procedure, but can usually be performed in an office setting because only a small section of a suspicious “lump” is removed for microscopic examination and testing of tissue and cells.

Excisional biopsy is the procedure by which the whole lump is removed for a comprehensive evaluation of tissues and cells.

Stereotactic biopsy is like a needle biopsy, but is performed when a lump cannot be felt but shows up on a mammogram. It involves implementing additional mammograms used to pinpoint the area in question, then using a computer to align the needle precisely with the targeted tissue sample.

Emerging Technologies

In the ongoing effort to provide more definitive and early diagnoses of breast cancer as well as save women unneeded worry and invasive procedures, other technologies are always being investigated. The MRI – magnetic resonance imaging – is one technology that currently shows some promise in evaluations of the breast.