Breast Cancer Facts You Need To Know (Part II)
II. Procedures Most Commonly Performed to Identify Breast Cancer
There are several ways to screen for breast cancer: breast self examination, clinical breast examination, screening mammogram, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy.
Breast self examination is done by sweeping motion or circling motion over the breast. It will show if there is any lump or changes in the breast. Here, it is important to remember that changes in the breast usually occur as one ages, during the menstrual cycle, in menopause, when taking birth control pills, when having hormone therapies and during pregnancy. Also, the breast may feel tender and swollen during or before the menstrual period (Breast Cancer: Breast Self Exam 2006).
In clinical breast examination, the healthcare provider checks the breast for any lumps or irregularities. The healthcare provider will have the patient raise her arm over her head. Then he will ask the patient to hang her arms by her side. Then lastly he will ask the patient to press her hands on her hips. As the patient is doing these different routine movements, the healthcare provider will look for differences or irregularities in the patient’s breast size, shape and in between the breast. The skins of the breast will also being checked for any abnormality such as dimpling or rashes. The nipples will also be checked by squeezing to see if there will be fluids. Using his fingers, the healthcare provider will check the breasts, underarm and collarbone and its surrounding areas for lumps. The lump will grow to a size of a pea before it can be felt. The healthcare provider will also check the lymph nodes to see if they are bigger than the normal size (Breast Cancer: Doctor's Breast Exam 2006).
The screening mammogram is x-ray of the breast. It is considered to as the best imaging technique for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends it to women over the age of 40. It can detect breast lumps which are small enough to be felt. Aside from the lump, the mammogram can also detect the specks of calcium called microcalcifications. There are two types of mammograms: the screening mammogram and the diagnostic mammogram. The screening is for yearly check up while the diagnostic is to evaluate the lumps or changes in the breast previously detected. Although the mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer, it is not perfect. Mammogram may show false negative or false positive results. And although the mammogram is best in detecting early lumps, some tumors can spread to other parts of the body before they can be detected by the mammogram (Test and Diagnosis 2009).
There are several ways to screen for breast cancer: breast self examination, clinical breast examination, screening mammogram, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and biopsy.
Breast self examination is done by sweeping motion or circling motion over the breast. It will show if there is any lump or changes in the breast. Here, it is important to remember that changes in the breast usually occur as one ages, during the menstrual cycle, in menopause, when taking birth control pills, when having hormone therapies and during pregnancy. Also, the breast may feel tender and swollen during or before the menstrual period (Breast Cancer: Breast Self Exam 2006).
In clinical breast examination, the healthcare provider checks the breast for any lumps or irregularities. The healthcare provider will have the patient raise her arm over her head. Then he will ask the patient to hang her arms by her side. Then lastly he will ask the patient to press her hands on her hips. As the patient is doing these different routine movements, the healthcare provider will look for differences or irregularities in the patient’s breast size, shape and in between the breast. The skins of the breast will also being checked for any abnormality such as dimpling or rashes. The nipples will also be checked by squeezing to see if there will be fluids. Using his fingers, the healthcare provider will check the breasts, underarm and collarbone and its surrounding areas for lumps. The lump will grow to a size of a pea before it can be felt. The healthcare provider will also check the lymph nodes to see if they are bigger than the normal size (Breast Cancer: Doctor's Breast Exam 2006).
The screening mammogram is x-ray of the breast. It is considered to as the best imaging technique for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends it to women over the age of 40. It can detect breast lumps which are small enough to be felt. Aside from the lump, the mammogram can also detect the specks of calcium called microcalcifications. There are two types of mammograms: the screening mammogram and the diagnostic mammogram. The screening is for yearly check up while the diagnostic is to evaluate the lumps or changes in the breast previously detected. Although the mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer, it is not perfect. Mammogram may show false negative or false positive results. And although the mammogram is best in detecting early lumps, some tumors can spread to other parts of the body before they can be detected by the mammogram (Test and Diagnosis 2009).
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