It is recommended that the doctor uses an approach known as the triple test to find the cause of a breast change. However, it should be noted that many women with breast changes will not need all of these tests.
Most women show no signs of cancer on any of the tests.
If used on their own, none of the tests will be able to find all cancers. However, if all tests are done and none show signs of cancer, it is very unlikely that it will be present. In looking for the causes of breast changes, women and their doctors have to find a balance between finding any cancers as early as possible and minimising unnecessary tests and surgery. If a woman is not at high risk and none of the triple tests suggest cancer, it is very unlikely that her breast change is due to cancer. She will therefore usually not be referred for an open surgical biopsy.