Breast Cancer Diagnosis
If you’ve had an abnormal finding on a screening mammogram or you’ve noticed a change in your breast, you’ll have follow-up tests. These tests may rule out breast cancer. If not, you’ll have a breast biopsy. A biopsy is the only test that can diagnose breast cancer. Most of the time, findings from a biopsy don’t turn out to be breast cancer.
If your biopsy shows breast cancer, learning about your breast cancer diagnosis will help you understand your treatment options. There are many different types of breast cancer, and your treatment will depend on your diagnosis. So, it’s important to understand the factors that affect your prognosis (course of disease) and treatment. This will help you make treatment decisions in partnership with your doctor.
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What is a Biopsy?
A biopsy is a test that removes a sample of cells or tissue from the suspicious area of your breast. The sample is studied under a microscope to see if cancer is present.
Types of biopsies
There are two main types of biopsies: needle and surgical. A core needle biopsy is the standard and preferred way to diagnose breast cancer. It involves removing samples of breast tissue from the suspicious area using a needle. In rare cases, a surgical biopsy may be needed to make a breast cancer diagnosis.
The tissue samples are sent to a pathologist to examine under a microscope. The pathologist will determine whether the tissue contains cancer. The results will be sent to your doctor or oncologist in a pathology report.
Waiting for results
Waiting for your biopsy results can be hard. Be sure to ask your doctor when you can expect the results. If the results don’t show cancer, talk with your doctor about your follow-up breast care and future screening plan. If breast cancer is found, the next step is understanding your diagnosis.
Factors Affecting Prognosis
Read our blog, 6 Ways Your Care Team Learns About Your Breast Cancer.
If a biopsy finds breast cancer, it’s important to understand the factors related to your diagnosis. These factors help you and your doctor make treatment decisions.
After a diagnosis of early or locally advanced breast cancer
Tests are done on the tumor and any lymph nodes removed during surgery. The results of these tests help inform your prognosis (course of disease) and guide your treatment plan.
Factors that affect your prognosis and treatment are considered together, rather than alone. They include:
- Lymph node status
- Tumor size
- Presence or absence of metastases
- Hormone receptor status (estrogen and progesterone receptor status)
- HER2 status
- Tumor grade
- Type of tumor
- Oncotype DX (for some estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers)
After a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer
Learn about factors that affect prognosis and treatment after a diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer.
Watch our video of Former Komen Chief Scientific Advisor Dr. George Sledge who talks about the tests that are done on tissue to help guide breast cancer treatment.
Breast cancer stages
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is stage 0, or non-invasive breast cancer and has the best prognosis. There are 4 main stages of invasive breast cancer: stages 1-4. The lower the breast cancer stage, the better the prognosis tends to be. The most advanced stage (stage 4) is known as metastatic breast cancer.
New tools under study
New tools are under study that may one day be used in breast cancer diagnosis to help plan treatment.
Susan G. Komen® Support Resources |
Do you need help with a breast cancer diagnosis? We’re here for you. The Komen Patient Care Center is your trusted, go-to source for timely, accurate breast health and breast cancer information, services and resources. Our navigators offer free, personalized support to patients, caregivers and family members, including education, emotional support, financial assistance, help accessing care and more. Get connected to a Komen navigator by contacting the Breast Care Helpline at 1-877 GO KOMEN (1-877-465-6636) or email helpline@komen.org to get started. All calls are answered Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m to 7 p.m. ET and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. Se habla español. Komen Facebook groups provide a place where those with a connection to breast cancer can share their experiences and build strong relationships with each other. You can request to join the Komen Breast Cancer Facebook group or Komen Metastatic Breast Cancer Facebook group. Our Real Pink podcast series features candid conversations with breast cancer patients, survivors, researchers, physicians and more. Our fact sheets, booklets and other educational materials offer additional information about a breast cancer diagnosis. |