Breast Cancer Screeing and Diagnosis
Breast cancer is usually detected when people notice symptoms or there’s an unusual finding on a screening test. Finding out you have breast cancer can be difficult to process. It’s normal to feel many emotions and have many questions. Our team is here to help you cope and understand what your diagnosis means for your treatment and future.
Breast cancer screening
Screening tests are those you have before you experience any symptoms. Routine breast cancer screening can detect cancer in its earliest stages, when treatment is most effective. For most people, screening should occur every two years beginning at age 40. If it’s been a while since your last screening test or you’ve never had one, you should speak with your doctor. Screening tests for breast cancer include:
Clinical breast exam
This test involves an examination of your breasts, underarms, and the area around your collarbone. Your doctor uses the pads of their fingers to check for lumps or irregularities.
Mammogram
A mammogram is a special type of X-ray that can detect abnormal areas in your breast. The machine briefly squeezes your breast between two plastic plates to get a high-quality picture.
Breast ultrasound
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to produce detailed images of your breast. Your doctor may recommend a breast ultrasound if you have dense breasts, which can hide cancer on a mammogram.
Breast MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) creates pictures using radio waves and magnetic fields. MRI imaging is often used along with a mammogram to screen women at high risk for breast cancer.
Can I get screened at Texas Oncology?
Typically, patients come to us after being screened. However, if you live in the Amarillo area, we offer breast cancer screening services at Texas Breast Specialists–Amarillo. If you live outside of Amarillo, you can search for breast cancer screening providers at healthytexaswomen.org.
Breast cancer diagnosis
If you have symptoms or a screening test finds an area of concern in your breast, your doctor will likely refer you to a breast cancer surgeon. At Texas Oncology, our breast cancer experts provide in-depth assessments to diagnose or rule out breast cancer.
Your evaluation may include additional imaging tests. Diagnostic mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs can provide more detailed information to assist the diagnostic process.
Your doctor will also likely recommend a breast biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to conclusively diagnose breast cancer. In this test, your doctor removes a sample of tissue and sends it to a laboratory. A pathologist uses a microscope to look for cancer cells. If cancer is found, they typically test the tissue for hormone receptors and HER2 proteins.
Breast biopsies fall into two broad categories — needle and surgical. Your doctor will determine the right type for you based on your condition.
Stages of breast cancer
The breast cancer staging system provides information about the extent of cancer and your outlook. The breast cancer stage includes critical details about:
- Tumor size
- Spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Spread (metastasis) beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes
- Estrogen and progesterone hormone-receptor status
- HER2 protein status
- Tumor grade (how abnormal the cells are and how fast they’re growing)
Because there are so many factors involved in staging, the system is complex. In general, the stages range from 0 to IV.
- Stage 0: Noninvasive cancer that has not spread beyond the ducts or lobules
- Stage I: Early cancer that has not spread to nearby lymph nodes
- Stage II: A larger tumor that may involve lymph nodes
- Stage III: Cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes
- Stage IV: Metastatic breast cancer
