Investigations

Investigations

• At the breast clinic you will be asked a range of questions in relation to your presentation. You will then have a breast and armpit examination. Following that it will be decided whether further investigations are required.
  
• Ultrasound is good at defining the nature of breast lumps, particularly distinguishing breast cysts from solid lumps. If the breast lump is a simple breast cyst it can be aspirated during the ultrasound examination. Ultrasound is recommended in women less than 35 years of age who present with breast lumps.
  
• Mammography is carried out in women older the age of 35.
  
• Fine-needle biopsy: A fine needle biopsy of a breast lump can be carried out using a needle attached to a syringe. The biopsy gets sent to a lab to determine the nature of the cells.

• Core biopsy: a core biopsy allows a larger number of cells to be obtained from the breast lump and is performed under local anaesthetic.