Male Breast Cancer Health Center

Breast cancer is diagnosed using a number of different methods. And along with diagnosing the disease itself, additional testing will be performed to determine the type of breast cancer it is.

Clinical Breast Exam

Your healthcare provider exams both of your breasts, underarms and collarbone area for lumps, dimpling, rashes or redness. Your nipple will be examined for discharge or scaly patches. Lumps the size of a pea can be detected with this method. Benign lumps are usually smooth, soft, round and easily moved, whereas a cancerous lump often is hard, has an odd shape and doesn’t move.

Mammogram

  • Mammograms take an x-ray picture of your breast which reveals the inside of the tissue. They can pick up a lump before it can be felt. They also show clusters of small specks of calcium called microcalcifications.
  • Lumps and specks can be from cancer, precancerous cells or other conditions, such as scarring. As a result of this uncertainty, additional tests are needed to diagnose breast cancer. Mammography is recommended for all women at some point in their lives. Talk to your doctor about developing a breast cancer screening program that’s best for you.

Other imaging tests

If an abnormal area is found during a clinical breast exam or with a mammogram, the doctor may order other imaging tests:

  • an ultrasound. This painless test uses sound waves to create pictures of suspicious areas. An ultrasound can see if the lump is solid and/or filled with fluid. If filled with a liquid substance, this is considered a cyst. Cysts usually aren’t cancer, while solid lumps may be.
  • an MRI. The detailed pictures produced by an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) show the difference between normal and diseased tissue.

Biopsy

  • Cancer is diagnosed following a biopsy, which involves removing tissue from the lump and looking for cancer cells. A biopsy is the only way to tell for sure if cancer is present.
  • There are several different types of biopsies performed. And your healthcare provider will refer you to a specialist to perform the procedure.
Review Date: 
April 19, 2012
Last Updated:
September 27, 2013
Source:
dailyrx.com