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What types of tests should you demand for breast problems?

On Behalf of | Mar 12, 2019 | Medical Malpractice

The survival rate for breast cancer is best when a health care specialist identifies the disease in its early stages and enacts treatment as soon as possible. That said, in standard imaging tests, breast cancer does not always look like cancer, and doctors cannot always tell cancerous lumps apart from normal breast tissues or benign cysts. For this reason, if a patient or doctor suspects the presence of breast cancer, the doctor should order as many tests as possible to either rule out the possibility of cancer or to confirm it. If you notice any abnormalities with your breast tissue, talk to your Georgia doctor about which diagnostic tests you need to undergo to receive an accurate diagnosis.     

Though there are dozens of tests health care professionals use to diagnose breast cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends requesting one or all of four types of tests. The first type of test is a breast ultrasound.

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to create a detailed drawing of the inside areas of your breast. If an abnormality exists, the sound waves, or sonogram, will detect and etch it.

The second type of test the CDC recommends requesting is magnetic resonance imaging. An MRI utilizes a computer-linked magnet to scan your breast and create detailed pictures of its tissues. 

The third type of test you should request is a diagnostic mammogram. The imaging provided by a diagnostic mammogram is more detailed than that of an X-ray. A specialist may recommend this type of test if your breast looks abnormal on a screening mammogram or if you have a sizeable lump in your breast. 

The final type of test the CDC recommends requesting is a biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of some of your breast tissue or fluid so lab techs can examine it under a microscope.

This post is for your informational purposes only. You should not use it as legal advice.

 

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