What happens first if my doctor suspects I have breast cancer?

What happens first if my doctor suspects I have breast cancer?

Richard E. Gould (Hematologist/Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center) gives expert video advice on: How are most cancerous breast lumps found?; Is pain a sign of breast cancer?; How often should I do a breast self-examination? and more...

With breast cancer detection, if your primary doctor thinks that you have breast cancer, the next step will be that the doctor will order a mammogram, and likely to refer you to see a breast surgeon. The breast surgeon may or may not perform an ultrasound, and will likely perform a biopsy to determine if that tissue is indeed cancerous or if it's benign. Based upon the results of that biopsy, you may need further workup, further evaluation, or definitive surgical management if it does come up positive for breast cancer.