Breast Cancer Diagnosis - Breast Cancer Test
As technology has increased, breast cancer diagnosis, even in its early stages, is far more reliable. This highly increases the chances of survival, as early breast cancer diagnosis usually means that the cancer is downgraded from ‘life-threatening’ to ‘serious’.
A clinical exam is normally the first step in diagnosis. A hands-on breast examination, not unlike the self-exam that all women 19 and older should perform, will be carried out by a physician. In general, cancerous lumps feel harder and less mobile than benign cysts. Normally, it is found that cancer tumors are irregular while round lumps usually indicate a non-cancerous lump. It is often easy for a trained professional to tell the difference.
Further confirming a breast cancer diagnosis will be a mammogram. These digital images are now often assisted by a computer, which will perform complex algorithms to detect tumors. This technology allows practitioners to detect small abnormalities at an early stage while also eliminating false positives.
Another breast cancer test that is useful in diagnosing breast cancer is an ultrasound. As technology has advanced, they have become invaluable in helping to differentiate between a cancerous tumor and a benign cyst. Cysts which are harmless, fluid-filled sacs, and cancer cells, which are denser, react differently to sound waves.
Also being used more often to help with diagnosis is an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). This breast cancer test used to be extremely expensive, so insurance companies would refuse to pay. However, it is now a far more common test, with prices decreasing over the years. Molecules react (harmlessly) when a strong magnetic field is passed over the breast, creating a distinctive image. The smallest abnormalities can often be identified from these images.
If any of the tests indicate that there might be an anomaly, a biopsy will often be carried out. This can be as simple a fine-needle aspiration where a small amount of fluid is taken from the breast lump. The cells in the fluid are then studied to see if any are cancerous, or associated with cancer cells.
Sometimes a slightly more invasive, core biopsy, is required. While also using a needle, instead of fluid, tissue is removed, so the needle is thicker than one used to extract fluid. Other cases require a surgical biopsy, where a larger piece of tissue is removed. Once extracted, an oncologist will example the sample, looking for cancer cells.
John Hopkins has recently developed a new breast cancer test which will hopefully lead to even better, accurate early diagnosis. Fluid is drawn from the breast and then chemically analyzed. Known as QM-MSP (quantitative multiplex methylation-specific PCR), when unusually high amounts of particular molecules are found, it indicates that cancer cells are present. Clusters with a little as 50 cancer cells have been found this way during some studies. Cancer was identified in 84% of the breast tumor samples supplied using this particular method.
Medical advances using new technology means that early breast cancer diagnosis is far more reliable than in previous years. This means that survival rates have increased, as a major factor in combating breast cancer is early treatment. Though still a serious issue, early detection helps to stop breast cancer from becoming life threatening.
Introduction to Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Self Exam - Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Genetic Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Prevention – How to Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Stages – Breast Cancer Survival Rates
Environmental and Lifestyle Breast Cancer Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast Cancer Surgery Treatment
Chemotherapy Breast Cancer Medication
Breast Cancer Radiation Treatment
Breast Cancer Reconstruction Surgery Treatments
Breast Cancer Diet Tests and Research
Breast Cancer Statistics, Diagnosis and Treatments
Breast Cancer Mammogram Diagnosis
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