Screening & diagnosis
Screening means checking for breast cancer before there are any symptoms, when it is most treatable. If a change or a screening finding needs a closer look, a few straightforward tests can confirm whether cancer is present.
Clinical breast screening
A trained health worker examines your breasts and armpits for any changes. This is exactly what The Trust Hospital provides, free, at every Walk In Pink.
Mammograms and ultrasound
A mammogram is a low-dose breast X-ray that can find changes too small to feel. Ultrasound uses sound waves and is often used for younger women or to look more closely at a particular area.
If something needs checking
Doctors often use what they call a triple assessment, three checks that together give a clear answer.
- Examination by a clinician
- Imaging with a mammogram and/or ultrasound
- A biopsy, which takes a tiny sample of tissue to examine under a microscope
Getting a diagnosis
Only a biopsy can confirm breast cancer. If it does, the results also describe the type and features of the cancer, which guide treatment. The earlier this happens, the more options there are.
Early detection saves lives. Join us for a free clinical screening.
References: nationalbreastcancer.org, breastcancernow.org, breastcancer.org. This page is general information, not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you notice a change, see a clinician.