Diagnostic Mammograms

Many women with breast cancer may not present with any symptoms at the time of diagnosis which is why it is recommended for women to have screening test done to catch breast cancer before symptoms start to develop in the later stages of the disease. The first step in finding breast cancer is ensuring that women are routinely going to their primary care physician for physical exams. At routine doctor appointments, the patient’s physician will take a medical history by asking questions about the current health and risk factors related to benign breast conditions and/or breast cancer (American Cancer Society, 2014). Next the physician may do a physical exam to check for lumps, he or she may also examine the patient’s nipples, skin, and lymph nodes …show more content…
Imaging tests can include mammography, ultrasonography, and MRI (American Cancer Society, 2014). Diagnostic mammograms, which are x-rays taken of the breast from different angles, are used to diagnose breast disease in women who currently have breast symptoms or who had abnormal results during a screening mammography (American Cancer Society, 2014). A diagnostic mammogram will help the physician determine if an abnormal lump is not likely to be cancers and just needs to be watched closely or if the lump is suspicious and a biopsy would be required to determine if it is cancerous. A breast sonography or ultrasound is used when a specific area of concern is found during a mammogram because it can distinguish between cysts and solid masses and can even sometimes tell the difference between benign and cancerous growths (American Cancer Society, 2014). The third and most expensive diagnostic imaging test is an MRI of the breast. MRI imaging is mostly used for women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer (American Cancer Society, 2014). MRI can also be used during a biopsy