Breast Cancer: Diagnostic Procedures

Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)

Women in their 20’s and 30’s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert, preferable every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every year. This helps you to best know your own breast. 

For this exam you undress from the waist up and the examiner will look for changes in size or shape of the breasts. Then, using the pads of the fingers, they will gently feel the breast and under the arms for lumps. This is a good time for you to learn how to do an exam if you are not familiar on how to do a self exam.

Breast Self-Examination (BSE)

It is recommended for every woman to complete a self exam every month beginning in their 20’s to become familiar with how your breast feel normally making any changes easier to detect. You should examine your breast about 7-10 days after the start of your menstrual cycle. If you are post-menopausal, you may pick any day of the month.

If you notice any changes such as lumps, swelling, skin irritation, dimpling, pain, nipple turning inward, redness, scaling of nipple or skin, or discharge other than breast milk, call your physician to be examined.

Breast ultrasound

This is referred to as sonography which uses sound waves to outline a part of the body. The sound wave echoes are picked up by the computer which creates a picture on a computer screen called a sonogram. This technology helps physicians visualize and localize areas of potential concern, which may not be visible under mammography, and provide confirming evidence for areas of suspicion identified by physical or radiographic examination. Biopsy utilizing breast ultrasound is also available on the same visit.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI scan uses radio waves and strong magnets instead of x-rays providing a detailed picture on a computer. Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is one of the newest modalities in the fight against breast cancer. Allegheny General Hospital has a state-of-the-art scanner with biopsy capabilities which enhances our diagnostic abilities enabling further treatment options. Breast MRI may be used for patients who are at high risk for breast cancer (link to high-risk program).

Ductal lavage

This technique is used to aid in the collection of atypical milk duct cells for analysis and help high-risk women make decisions about whether to pursue risk reduction measures, such as drug therapy, closer surveillance or surgical intervention.

Ductoscopy

With this procedure, physicians use a microendoscope to directly visualize the ductal lining of the breast, as well as provide access for retrieval of epithelial cells by lavage.

Digital bone densitometry

This procedure allows our physicians to more accurately and quickly assess bone health and the likelihood of future fractures. Our new equipment cuts the time of this diagnostic procedure down to just a few minutes.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
This test uses a form of sugar which contains a radioactive atom and cancer cells absorb high amounts of this sugar and this special camera spots these cells.
 

Last Updated: May 30, 2008