Screening and Testing

Page last modified on: July 11, 2008

Personal Quote

"I wasn't looking for surprises. I just wanted to keep watch over my health with a routine mammogram. Something worried somebody, because I had to have more pictures. Then a biopsy. I thought it would be just a needle stick—but it was a real operation. I can't complain. It was benign. I'm okay."

—Marcia

UltrsndMchine

There's a whole world of testing that goes along with taking care of your breasts. No matter where you are on the line between healthy breasts and breast cancer, tests can be nerve-wracking. But they're an indispensable part of:

  • finding breast cancer early, when it's most treatable
  • helping your treatment team design the treatment that's right for you
  • determining the effectiveness of your continuing care

There are two different stages of testing. Screening tests (such as an annual mammogram) look for signs of disease in women without symptoms; they should be part of every healthy woman's routine. Diagnostic tests (such as magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], blood tests, or bone scans) become part of the picture when breast cancer is suspected or has been diagnosed. Find out more about options for testing.

In this section you'll learn more about mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, PET scans, and more. You'll also see images of what these tests look like.

The medical experts for Screening and Testing are:

  • Susan Orel, M.D., professor of radiology, the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Emily Conant, M.D., chief of breast imaging, the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Marisa Weiss, M.D. breast radiation oncologist, Thomas Jefferson University Health System, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

These experts are members of the Breastcancer.org Professional Advisory Board, including more than 70 medical experts in breast cancer-related fields.

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