How will I know I have breast cancer?

You might have found you have breast cancer through having a breast screen. Or you may have had a symptom and had it checked out. You won’t know if you have breast cancer until your doctor has talked to you, completed a physical examination and carried out some tests. You can request a male or female doctor, nurse or health worker to assist with following Men’s Business and Women’s Business protocols. The tests might include:

• a breast screen (or mammogram), which is a special type of X-ray for the breast
• an ultrasound, which uses soundwaves to build a picture of the inside of the breast
• a biopsy, when a tiny bit is taken from inside your breast with a needle, and this is looked at using a microscope.

Most people who have these tests find out they don’t have breast cancer, but it’s important to check.