To diagnose breast cancer, a healthcare provider may perform several tests, including: - A mammogram (breast x-ray) - An ultrasound scan (using sound waves to produce an image) - A core biopsy (using a hollow needle to take a sample of breast tissue to be looked at under a microscope) - A fine needlRead more
To diagnose breast cancer, a healthcare provider may perform several tests, including:
– A mammogram (breast x-ray)
– An ultrasound scan (using sound waves to produce an image)
– A core biopsy (using a hollow needle to take a sample of breast tissue to be looked at under a microscope)
– A fine needle aspiration (FNA) (using a fine needle and syringe to take a sample of cells to be looked at under a microscope)
If breast cancer is diagnosed, other tests may be done to find out if cancer cells have spread within the breast or to other parts of the body. This process is called staging. The stage of breast cancer helps determine the best treatment options.
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There are several risk factors for breast cancer, including: - Being a woman - Getting older - Inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 - Family history of breast or ovarian cancer - Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases - Hormonal changes - LifestyleRead more
There are several risk factors for breast cancer, including:
– Being a woman
– Getting older
– Inherited genetic mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
– Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
– Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases
– Hormonal changes
– Lifestyle, including excess alcohol consumption
– Environmental factors, including exposure to radiation
– Obesity and being overweight
– Menarche: having periods at a younger age and menopause at an older age
– Pregnancy: Becoming pregnant at an older age or never being pregnant
– Hormone use, including long-term contraceptive use or postmenopausal hormone therapy
It is important to note that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will develop breast cancer. Also, some people who have no known risk factors may still develop the disease. If you have breast cancer risk factors, talk with your doctor about ways you can lower your risk and about screening for breast cancer.
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