Investigating a Symptom

If you think you have a symptom of breast cancer, don’t panic! Most symptoms turn out to be fine, but it’s important to get it checked out to be sure.

Step 1: Identify a Symptom

You’ve noticed something unusual and persistent in your breast, armpit, or collarbone area, and you feel like you need to get it checked out.

Step 2: Talk to Your Doctor

Make an appointment to investigate your concerns. Tell your doctor:

  • What you’ve found

  • How long it has been there

  • If it comes and goes with your menstrual cycle

  • Any of your possible risk factors

If the doctor can’t see or feel anything but you are still concerned, it’s okay to advocate for yourself and request further testing!

Step 3: Get a Mammogram

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose x-ray of the breasts. It feels similar to getting your blood pressure taken.

If cancer is present in the breast, a mammogram can find it 8 times out of 10.

Remember that some types of breast cancer do not present as a lump, and dense breast tissue makes mammograms less effective. In these cases, additional testing will likely be needed.

Step 4: Get an Ultrasound

An ultrasound uses sound waves to view a specific area of concern in more detail.

It can help determine if a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or other harmless condition, or if it is a suspicious mass that requires further testing.

An ultrasound is also a good option when dense breast tissue makes a mammogram less effective or when mammography is not available.

Step 5: Get an MRI (Optional)

A Breast MRI can be used to investigate a symptom when the results of a mammogram or ultrasound come back unclear.

It produces a very detailed image of the breasts and can sometimes find cancer not seen on a mammogram.

An MRI can also be effective in detecting cancer through dense breast tissue and breast implants.

Step 6: Get a Biopsy

A biopsy collects a small tissue sample from the area of concern so the cells can be examined under a microscope.

If one or more of the tests above have discovered something suspicious in your breast, you will likely be referred for a biopsy.

A biopsy is usually the only way to clearly determine if something is cancer.

Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer?

The Dandelion Toolkit can help you!