Key Tests for Aiding the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

There are several tests and procedures commonly used to aid in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Below is a list of the most common tests and procedures used today.

  1. Breast Self Exam -  Physicians recommend that a self-breast exam is performed monthly. This enables patients to become familiar with what is normal for their own breasts. An obvious lump is not the only way to find cancer. Changes in the look or feel of the breast can also indicate that further testing is necessary.

  2. Mammography - Mammograms have been used for about 30 years, and in the past 15 years technical advancements have greatly improved both the technique and results. Today, dedicated equipment, used only for sophisticated breast X-rays, produces studies that are high in quality, but low in radiation dose. While some people are concerned about radiation, the risks are considered to be negligible.

  3. Breast Ultrasound - this technology uses sound waves to create images of the breast deep within the structure itself.  An ultrasound is useful in determining whether a mass is solid or fluid-filled.

  4. Biopsy - The only definitive means for diagnosing breast cancer is through a breast biopsy. An experienced radiologist uses a special needle guided by an x-ray or other imaging tool to remove pieces of the suspicious tissue for identification. This sample is sent to a lab for testing.

  5. Breast MRI - Also known as breast magnetic resonance imaging, this imaging method uses MRI technology to send radio waves through the tissue to produce a picture of the breast’s interior. MRI imaging does not use radiation like some of the other exams.

All of these types of tests are useful for Connecticut Breast Imaging’s physicians to create an accurate diagnosis and help them develop a treatment plan quickly and efficiently.

To book your appointment at one of the practice’s 3 convenient Danbury locations, call 203-426-3002 or visit our website

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Submitted by Ridgefield, CT

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