Testing for breast cancer falls into three phases: screening, diagnostic, and monitoring.
Screening tests are for people who seem to be healthy. Yearly mammograms and self-exams fall into this category. Screening tests are intended to catch breast cancer early — when treatment often has the best chance of success.
Diagnostic tests (like ultrasound scans and biopsies) are for people who are suspected of having breast cancer. Maybe you found a lump on a screening test; maybe you have other symptoms of breast cancer. Diagnostic tests determine whether or not cancer is present, and if it is present, whether it has traveled to other parts of the body. These tests can help doctors figure out a course of action.
Monitoring tests — like blood cell counts and blood marker tests — are for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. They are used during and after treatment to judge how well the treatment is working. Monitoring tests may also be used to watch for signs of the cancer returning.
It’s a good idea to get in the habit of performing self-exams on a monthly basis — you are in the best position to notice a change in your own body! And early detection of breast cancer greatly improves the chances treatment will succeed.
Here’s a quick and easy guide to a self-exam:
- Stand in front of a mirror with your arms at your sides and look. Watch for distortions in the normal shape like dimpling or bulging, redness or rash, swelling, and changes in the nipples. Check for fluid discharge.
- Stand in front of a mirror with your arms over your head and look. Watch for the same changes from step one. Check for fluid discharge.
- Lay down and use a small, circular motion of the fingertips to feel each breast. Check top and bottom and sides. If you’re uncertain of how to do this, ask your doctor for a demonstration at your next physical. My doctor showed me how to do it!
- Stand up and repeat step three. Many women find it easiest to do this in the shower.