For most women, having
an unusual breast change is upsetting, and can bring up many different feelings
and worries. Perhaps, it’s understandable to have fear for cancer. More so, it’s common among
women who have unusual breast change to find tests stressful and invasive.
Notwithstanding, it’s important to see your doctor and probably get tested whenever you
notice unusual breast change. Hence, women feel relieved to know that their
breast change is not cancerous or harmful. Though sometimes, they keep worrying
about getting cancer. Instead of worrying and allow this affect how you feel about yourself, sexuality or relationship, get tested.
Tests
for Breast Changes
Breast imaging or
pictures are used to investigate lumps or other changes in your breast. A
biopsy may also be recommended.
Imaging includes:
- Mammograms
- Ultrasounds
Your doctor will talk
with you about the tests that you need. Women often worry that any change in
their breast is cancer but even though the changes might be uncomfortable,
painful or worrying to women, they are rarely cancer. There are many reasons
for unusual breast changes, and most are not dangerous or harmful.
Some women also worry
about the tests they are going to have. Mammograms and ultrasounds are not
dangerous and not usually uncomfortable. The clinical staff are generally happy
to answer your questions or to address your concerns. No question is too stupid
or unnecessary, so don't hold back.
Mammogram
This is an X-ray of the
breast. Usually, at least two pictures are taken of each breast, one breast at
a time. The radiographer will position your breast firmly between two flat
plates on the X-ray machine for up to a minute. This might feel uncomfortable,
but if it feels painful, tell the radiographer.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound uses
sound waves to give a picture of all the soft parts of the breast. The machine
is like the one used to see a baby inside a womb. It is made up of a hand-held
probe that looks like a microphone. This is connected to a computer. The
technician or specialist will put a clear gel on your breast and then move the
probe gently across the surface of each breast, stopping to take pictures. It
usually takes about 30 minutes and is not painful.
Results
of Mammograms and Ultrasounds
At least one specialist
radiologist will look at all of the pictures from your mammogram and/or ultrasound.
They will report to your specialist or doctor. Sometimes the pictures are not
clear enough and need to be done again. At other times a specialist might mark
an area on a picture for special checking. These steps are taken to make sure
you get a correct diagnosis. They do not mean there is something wrong with
your breast.
You will need to return
for another appointment to discuss the results of your tests with a specialist.
Results usually cannot be given over the phone. Your General Practitioner (GP)
is usually notified of your results.
About
Biopsy
Biopsies involve taking
some tissue or cells from the body and looking at the sample under a
microscope. Specialists use a variety of methods to take a sample. The method
your specialist chooses for you will depend on:
- where the lump or other change is located
- the size of the lump or other change
- your personal and family health history
The two most common
biopsies are called fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core biopsy.
Your specialist will
talk with you about which kind of biopsy you need.
Fine
Needle Aspiration (FNA)
In this procedure, the
specialist uses a needle to take fluid or cells from the area for testing. This
needle is finer than one used to take blood. FNA can be uncomfortable but usually
it is not painful. Sometimes there is bruising or slight bleeding where the
needle was inserted. This should heal quickly. You can go home straight away
after FNA.
Core
Biopsy
In this procedure, the
radiologist uses a slightly bigger needle to take tissue from the area for
testing. Core biopsies are always performed with a local anaesthetic. Usually
they are not painful, but you need to keep very still while the procedure takes
place. Usually a number of samples of tissue are taken from the one site.
Occasionally samples are taken from different sites.
The needle is usually
guided by an ultrasound, while you lie on your back on a table. Sometimes the
needle is guided by breast X-rays (mammograms). This procedure is called a
stereotactic core biopsy. The machine that is used is different to the one used
for ordinary mammograms. Instead of standing up, you lie on your stomach on a
special table, which has an opening for your breast. A radiographer or nurse
helps to position your breast in the opening so that the radiologist can take
the X-rays and insert the needle more easily. Your breast is compressed, like
in a regular mammogram machine, but it should not feel too uncomfortable because
you are lying down.
When your breast is in
the right place and you feel comfortable, the radiologist takes a series of
X-rays to guide the needle and take the core samples. You might feel a slight
pressure when the samples are taken but you should not feel any pain. The core
biopsy usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, and the anaesthetic wears off after a
couple of hours.
Some clinics will ask
you to rest a while after a core biopsy, and to have someone to drive you home.
They may also suggest avoiding activities that put stress on your arm, on the
biopsy side (such as hanging out clothes or vacuuming) for 24 hours.
Often there is some
bruising or slight bleeding where the needle was inserted. This should heal
quickly.
Your specialist might
put a waterproof dressing on the site. This does not need to be changed and you
can wear it in the bath or shower. Check with your specialist about how long to
leave the dressing on.
If you feel sore after
a core biopsy, mild pain relief such as paracetamol should help.
Practical
Information
- You do not need to prepare specially for FNA or a core biopsy.
- Neither of these biopsies will usually require a stay in hospital, you should be able to go home on the same day.
- Your visit could take two to three hours, although the actual biopsy will probably take less than an hour.
- You will need to take your top and bra off for the biopsy.
- There will probably be a radiologist, a radiographer and a nurse present. A laboratory technician might also come in to collect the sample.
Results
of Biopsies
Once the cells or
tissue have been taken out, the sample will be sent to the laboratory. It may
take a week or two for results to come through. You will usually need to return
for another appointment to discuss the results of your tests with a specialist.
Results cannot usually be given over the phone.
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