Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Breast Cancer
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Diagnosis & Tests
How is the disease diagnosed?
Lumps may be found by a woman or her partner. Some lumps are detected by the healthcare provider during a physical exam. Sometimes the lump cannot be felt but is found on a screening mammogram. If abnormalities are found on a screening mammogram, a diagnostic mammogram may be done. An ultrasound may be done to show whether the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a solid mass.
After the lump is discovered, a tissue sample must be taken to determine if it is cancer. Tissue samples may be obtained with the following procedures:
The fluid and tissue will be carefully studied to determine first if it is cancer. If so, the tissue then will be tested to see how aggressive the cancer is. A woman may also undergo other specialized X-rays to see if the cancer has spread beyond the breast.
Other tests will be done to determine factors that will affect treatment choices. The most common factors are as follows: