Screening and Testing for Breast Conditions

Doctors use physical examinations and imaging studies to locate and diagnose breast abnormalities. To learn more about your condition, a physician may:

• Feel the characteristics of a suspected lump (texture, size, and relationship to the skin and chest muscles)
• Look for changes in the nipples or the skin of the breast
• Check lymph nodes under the arm and above the collarbones
• Request imaging tests, including diagnostic mammography to look for masses and calcifications, or breast ultrasound to further evaluate information
• Request a microscopic examination of any discharge other than breast milk from the nipples
• Request a ductogram x-ray of the nipples if there is discharge
• Request a biopsy of tissue removed from the suspicious area

Since imaging tests cannot always tell whether a lump is benign or cancerous, a biopsy may be used to remove cells for diagnosis.
These include:

• Fine needle aspiration: A very fine needle is guided into the suspicious area and a small sample of the tissue is removed.
• Core needle biopsy: A larger needle is guided into the lump to remove a small cylinder of tissue.
• Surgical biopsy: This surgical procedure is used to remove all or part of a lump.

Learn about our Mobile Mammography Unit here.