A pair of hands holding a red cancer ribbon

Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Did your annual mammogram detect something suspicious? Diagnosing breast cancer includes additional imaging tests and biopsies. Learn what to expect along the process.
Nurse preparing patient for mammography
Stage 3 Breast Cancer: Types, Treatment, Survival
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
scientist looking at stage 2 breast cancer tumor sample
Stage 2 Breast Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, Survival
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
childhood cancer patient thinking about breast cancer screening when she grows up
Breast Cancer Screening for Childhood Cancer Survivors
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Radiologist reviewing results of patients mammogram
Why Not Annual Ultrasounds Instead of Mammograms?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
23 & Me kit
At-Home Genetic Tests for Breast Cancer
By Heidi Moawad, MD
female radiologist looking at breast
Stage 0 Breast Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survival
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Female doctor consults patient with cancer
No Evidence of Disease (NED) in Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
doctor palpating a patients abdomen
The Role of Palpation in Medicine
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
Gynecology consultation
Hormone Receptor Status and Diagnosis in Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Female doctor talking to her patient and adjusting her position to do a mammogram
BI-RADS Scoring System for Breast Imaging Studies
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
woman pointing to a breast mass that's a breast cancer tumor
Breast Masses: Cancerous Tumor or Benign Lump?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Breast Calcifications on a Mammogram
Breast Calcifications on Your Mammogram
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
A woman undergoing a mammogram.
Where to Find Low-Cost or Free Mammograms
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Doctor examining patient in office
Breast Ultrasound: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD
Mammary Epithelial Cell Function and Abnormalities
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman pointing to area on mammogram x-ray, close-up
Oncotype DX: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Cross section biomedical illustration of fine needle aspiration of breast lump
Fine Needle Aspiration for Breast Biopsy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO
Front view of female breast anatomy with a lump present
Lymph Node Status and Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Cristian Zanartu, MD
Breast X-Ray
Malignant Breast Cancer Treatments
Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD
ultrasound wand
Elastogram: Uses, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Medical illustration of female breast, front and side view.
Breast Cancer and the Areola
Medically reviewed by Rony Kampalath, MD
Female breast with internal anatomy including lymph nodes, alveoli, lobules ducts and muscle tissue
Lymphoscintigraphy: Uses, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Mammography
Axillary Lymph Nodes and Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
The Psychological Impact of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
doctor explaining mammogram results to patient
Breast Tumor Size and Staging
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Doctors preparing patient for MRI scan
Gadolinium Use in Breast Cancer MRIs: Benefits and Risks
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman prepared for surgery
Is Your State Preventing Drive-through Mastectomies?
Fact checked by Sheeren Jegtvig
physician looking at X-ray contemplating the difference between MRI and mammogram for breast cancer
Mammogram and Breast MRI: What's the Difference?
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Doctors examining x-ray
Breast MRI: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman speaking with her doctor
Stage 4 Breast Cancer: Diagnosis, Treatment, Survival
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
breast biopsy
Sentinel Node Biopsy: Uses, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
ultrasound wand
Breast Ultrasound: Uses, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
test tubes of blood looking for tumor markers with breast cancer
Breast Cancer Tumor-Marker Tests
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Mixed Race doctor talking to patient
Ductogram (Galactogram): Uses, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
doctor looking at MRI results of tumors
Tumor Grades and Breast Cancer Staging
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
doctor explaining mammogram results to female patient
Mammogram: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Nurse examining chest x-rays in hospital
Chest X-Rays and Breast Cancer: Uses, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
image of breast lump that needs a breast biopsy
Breast Biopsy: Uses, Side Effects, Procedure, Results
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Genetic testing in a lab
Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Woman getting mammogram, what do different findings look like in the pictures?
Mammogram Images: Normal and Abnormal
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
Doctor talking with patient in office
Lobular Carcinoma in Situ (LCIS): Symptoms, Diagnosis, and More
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
breast biopsy
How Breast Cancer Is Diagnosed
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD
gene mutation illustrating the non-BRCA gene mutations that raise breast cancer risk
Non-BRCA Gene Mutations That Raise Breast Cancer Risk
Medically reviewed by Doru Paul, MD