Early breast cancer: a guide for women - Cancer Australia

How is breast cancer found?Breast cancer can be found in different ways. You or your doctor mayhave noticed a change in your breast, or the cancer may have beenfound after a routine mammogram or after a biopsy for another reason.Your doctors will have done a series of tests to find out whether thechange in your breast was due to cancer. These tests will have includeda physical examination, imaging tests (for example a mammogram,ultrasound or MRI) and one or more biopsies.Mammogram: a way of examining the breasts usinglow-dose X-rays.Ultrasound: a way of examining the breasts and/or the armpitarea using high frequency sound waves.MRI: magnetic resonance imaging — a way of examining thebreasts, armpit or chest using magnetic fields.Biopsy: removal of cells or tissue from the body for examinationunder a microscope.“Talking to other people really does help immensely.”Questions to ask your healthcare teamListed below are some questions you might want to ask your healthcareteam about your breast cancer.• What type of breast cancer do I have?• Can I bring a friend/family member with me to my appointments?• Can you write down what you have told me so that I can read itagain later?6