Click here for more information about breast cancer in men. Often, breast cancer is first detected by mammogram. If the radiologist notices a suspicious area on the mammogram, he or she may refer the patient for additional testing such as diagnostic mammography , special mammography views , breast ultrasound , MR scan , T-scan , or sestamibi . After further breast imaging, patients with suspicious lesions may be referred for a breast biopsy to determine whether breast cancer is present. The American Cancer Society estimates that 175,000 American women develop breast cancer annually and 43,300 women will die from the disease this year.
Many women develop breast lumps.
This percentage tends to fluctuate with age. As a woman ages, her risk for breast cancer increases. The percentage of benign breast lumps in older women may be much lower than in younger women. It is still important for women to report any breast abnormality to their physician, especially if it persists after two or more menstrual cycles. Click here for to learn more about breast changes and warning signs for breast cancer.