A breast cancer diagnosis in a patient following testing and biopsy means her cells collected and studied are of the malignant type. Unfortunately, it is certain these cells will continue to grow and become life-threatening if she is not treated. It cannot be emphasized enough that any type of change a woman finds in her breast tissue and surrounding areas needs to be examined by a physician as soon as feasible. The doctor will then gather as much medical information as possible from the patient, physically inspecting the patient’s breasts, armpits, surrounding tissues and neck. If further investigation is necessary, he will recommend several courses of action. He will probably order a diagnostic mammogram which will usually identify a breast tumor if one exists.

In the case of lumps that the doctor can feel but do not show up on mammogram, which is the case in a few cancerous lesions, the doctor will order further testing to hopefully rule out a breast cancer diagnosis. For further imaging of the breast, an ultrasound (or sonogram) may be ordered which often examines a specific area of the breast to determine if a lump is filled with fluid or is solid. The doctor may perform a needle aspiration or needle biopsy also. In this procedure, the physician guides a needle into the breast tumor and draws out either fluid or tissue pieces into the needle. These are then examined by a pathologist in a laboratory.

Or the physician may decide a surgical biopsy is the best course for ruling out or establishing a breast cancer diagnosis. A surgeon will then remove either the whole breast lump or part of it and send it for laboratory examination. If the biopsy determines the tissue is benign, there may be no further medical treatment because these cells are not damaging and will not spread. If there is a determination of breast cancer, however, treatment will include additional testing, necessary to determine the stage of progression of the disease. In some instances, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a PET scan are being recommended as diagnostic tests, along with CT scans, possibly more mammograms of both breasts, blood tests, and maybe further tests on the cancer cells, such as estrogen and progesterone receptor tests. This is the “staging” process which will establish the possible course of treatment, allowing the patient knowledge of the type of cancer, its characteristics and the options available for treatment.

The breast cancer diagnosis can be traumatic. But it will help the woman to acquire a comprehensive understanding of her type of cancer, its stage (size, lymph node involvement, possibility of metastasis), her menopausal position, and her level of general health. There is a large body of treatment advancements that can then be utilized and tailored for each woman and her unique disease characteristics.

Our Recommendation

We recommend that women use the Breast Chek® Pad every month as they do their self exam to aid them in Early Detection of irregularities in their breasts.

The Importance of Breast Self-Exam

Regularly examining her own breasts allows a woman to become familiar with how her breasts normally look and feel and can help her more readily detect any changes that may occur. Many women naturally have some lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the right and left breast). The key to the breast self-exam is to learn how to find changes in the breasts that persist over time.

While most women are aware of monthly breast self-examination, many still do not know how to perform it properly. Performing BSE incorrectly can be almost as bad as not doing the exam at all since it can give women a false sense of security. After reading these sections on BSE, women should discuss any questions they might have about BSE techniques with their physicians and ask him or her to demonstrate how to perform BSE during the clinical breast exam portion of the physical exam.

The Best Time to Perform Breast Self-Exam

• Menstruating women: Hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle may make the breasts more lumpy or swollen. Women who are menstruating should perform breast self-exam from a few days to about a week after menstruation (period) has ended, when breasts are usually less tender or swollen.
• Women who are no longer menstruating: should do their BSE on the same day every month. Try to pick a day that is easy to remember, such as the first or fifteenth of every month, and make that the day each month for breast self-exam.
• Women using oral contraceptives: are encouraged to do their BSE each month on the day they begin a new package of pills.

Breast Changes and Warning Signs To Watch for During Breast Self-Exam

• Any new lump or hard knot found in the breast or armpit
• Any lump or thickening that does not shrink or lessen after your next period
• Any change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast
• A thickening or swelling of the breast
• Any dimpling, puckering or indention in the breast
• Dimpling, skin irritation or other change in the breast skin or nipple
• Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
• Nipple discharge (fluid coming from your nipples other than breast milk), particularly if the discharge is bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple
• Nipple tenderness or pain
• Nipple retraction: turning or drawing inward or pointing in a new direction
• Any breast change that may be cause for concern

If any of these changes or other abnormalities are noted, women should see their physicians as soon as possible for clinical evaluation. However, it is important to note that in the majority of cases (80%), breast lumps and changes are not cancerous. Therefore, women should not allow their fear of breast cancer to keep them from visiting their physician if a lump or change is found.

Women with Normally Lumpy Breasts Should Also Perform BSE

Even if a woman has normally lumpy breasts (typically called fibrocystic breasts), she can still learn the usual pattern of lumps and then point out new or unusual lumps to her physician. While lumpy breasts or breasts with benign (non-cancerous) masses or cysts can be more difficult to examine, monthly breast self-exams are still essential. In fact, without knowledgeable direction from the patient, it may be more difficult for a physician to differentiate between a new mass and a stable lump. If a woman’s breasts are normally lumpy, she should note how many separate lumps she feels and their corresponding locations when performing self-exams. Then, during subsequent exams, she should check for any changes, particularly an increase in the size of lumps that persist after her period. Any changes should be reported to a physician or healthcare provider.

Breast Examination During and After Pregnancy Is Critical

Women should continue monthly breast self-exams during pregnancy. Vigilant, monthly breast self-exams during pregnancy and afterwards, during breast-feeding, can help prevent a delayed diagnosis of breast cancer and improve the chances of successful treatment.

Clinical breast exams should also be performed by a healthcare professional on a monthly basis during pregnancy. It is especially important that a clinical breast exam be performed during the first doctor visit of the pregnancy, before the breasts go through significant physiologic changes. Some changes or lumps are more difficult to evaluate once the breasts have enlarged and become more nodular.