If an abnormality is detected in a woman's breast, via physical examination or mammography, then additional imaging will be prescribed to enhance her chances of breast cancer survival. This additional testing can include a mammogram, ultrasound, or other forms of imaging. A biopsy may be the next step, depending on the results of the imaging. Biopsy is the most certain way to tell if breast cancer is present. This part of the article will go into further detail on this entire process, including new advances in imaging and biopsy.

The diagnostic and screening tools that detect and diagnose breast cancer for breast cancer survival have gotten more and more accurate ever since the early 70s, when modern mammography became widely available. Massive research and development, along with clinical refinement, have made the whole process very precise.

The theoretical clinical decision tree that detects and diagnoses breast cancer has gotten refined to quite a high level; however, actual statistics and numbers, as shown below, may vary from one region to another, depending upon patient demographics and population density.

The discovery of a breast lump, whether by chance, during a routine breast self assessment, or during a clinical breast exam, can be stressful for a woman. Because a lump can be a symptom of breast cancer, all persistent breast lumps should be evaluated by a physician. However, the majority of breast lumps, approximately 80% are due to non-cancerous causes.

First, it is important for all women to practice monthly breast-self exams beginning at age 20 for breast cancer survival. These self-exams allow women to become familiar with how their breasts look and feel so they can more readily detect any changes that may occur. Many women naturally have some lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the right and left breast).

The main point of the breast self-exam to realize how the breasts change over time. If you find a new lump and it does not go away after menstruation, then you should discuss it with a doctor to have it evaluated.

A lump in the breast need not always be cancer but it is difficult to find out even for a physician without a proper examinations such as mammography and ultrasound and also biopsy are performed. In biopsy they take a sample of the breast tissue and examine it under a microscope to reach some definite conclusion. As far as the lumps are concerned there can be many other characteristics for determining whether it is cancer or not.

It is imperative that women of all ages stay up to date with breast cancer survival and what responses are available should they be diagnosed, due to the fact that women both young and old are susceptible. If you notice unusual hardening of fatty tissue in any breast during self assessment, it is a cause for alarm. If the hardened tissue is in the same breast that was previously administered radiation treatment, seek immediate help. However, since there are many symptoms which may point to breast cancer, you should check with your doctor for confirmation and have a mammogram.