Detecting local disease (the triple
assessment):-
- The examination in the clinic - your both breasts will be examined by the doctor.
You will be asked about your general health, the breast problem as well
as your other medical problems,
menstrual history, details of pregnancies and details of any hormones
you have taken (e.g. contraceptive pills or HRT).
- Breast scan (mammogram or ultrasound, rarely
MRI) - these
investigations are carried out in the x-ray department and they
look at the internal structure of the breast. Doctors
in the x-ray department will decide which is the most appropriate
investigation in your case (whether to use mammography or ultrasound),
or they may decide to use both. The results
of the mammogram and the ultrasound will be proceeded to the surgeon. Occasionally,
in young women a MRI is required to get additional information if there is still uncertainty with the
triple assessment..
- Biopsy (removal of tissue for analysis in the
laboratory). This can be either performed using a fine needle. This test involves taking a sample of either cells
or fluid from a breast lump often referred to as FNA. It is no more painful than a blood test and will not require a local
anaesthetic. This test looks at the cells only (cytology) and gives
limited information. Alternatively, if more detailed information is
required a larger needle is used, requiring a small local anaesthetic
referred to as trucut or core biopsy.
Additional tests:
These tests will
check the general condition of the body but also provide a rough screen for cancer which
may have spread outside the breast. It is not recommended that patients have more complex
test to look for spread of the cancer at this stage unless the tests above are abnormal or
there are symptoms of spread such as pain in the bones or right side of the abdomen. These
would include a bone scan or liver ultrasound.
-
Full blood count
- checks for anaemia and blood in general
-
Liver function
test - checks the function of the liver
-
Calcium and
alkaline phosphatase - checks the function of the bones
-
Urea +
Electrolytes. - checks the function of your kidney's and salts in the blood stream
-
Chest x-rays
- checks the health of the lungs and heart
-
Mammogram
of the
opposite breast - exclude a problem in the other breast
Further general information Your doctors and specialist nurses are in an ideal position to
give you relevant information on your disease and treatment as they know your
individual circumstances. Cancerbackup
has a help line (0808 800 1234) and a prize
winning video available in English, Italian, Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati
& Hindi explaining Radiotherapy & Chemotherapy. Cancernet.co.uk
has over 500 pages describing cancer, its management, practical tips and tool
which patients, their carers and their doctors have found helpful during the
cancer journey.
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