Breast Biopsy - what does it mean?

Why should I have a breast biopsy?

The basic aim of a breast biopsy is to determine whether or not a worrisome lump is cancer and, if it is cancer, what type it is. When no cancer is detected, the diagnosis of a benign or harmless lump is reassuring.

There are several different biopsies, I was very confused by this so thought I would share this information with you.

Who has a breast biopsy?

Anyone, female or male, with a suspicious breast growth or other symptoms of Breast Cancer should undergo a biopsy. Ninety-nine percent of all breast cancers occur in females, however, males can and also get Breast Cancer. Therefore, men should regularly examine their breasts as females do for lumps or other cancer symptoms. (Males with the genetic disorder Klinefelter Syndrome, which is associated with increased breast development, have approximately the same risk of developing breast cancer as females.)

How is the suspicious breast growth discovered?

A suspicious breast growth may be found by a patient in self examination a physician's clinical examination, or a screening procedure such as the mammogram.

Patients who discover a lump in a breast should see a physician for testing. They should also see a physician if they find a lump in an armpit or above a collarbone (either of which could indicate the presence of spreading cancer). Finally, a physician should be consulted if they have:

*Red or irritated breast skin,

*Scaly skin on the breast,

*Dimpling skin on the breast,

*Swelling breast skin,

*Nipple discharge other than milk,

*Nipple retraction or inversion,

*Nipple itching,

*Change in the size or shape of a breast, or

*Breast Pain

It is important to remember that these signs and symptoms do not necessarily indicate the presence of cancer, prevention is better than cure.

There a a few different Biopsies I will go through them in my next Blog, so you know the difference.

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