What comes after finding a breast lump?
Once a breast lump is found the primary care physician generally refers the patient to a Breast Center for Mammographic and Sonographic assessment. The American College of Radiology recommends initial evaluation with sonography for women under the age of 30 years, pregnant and lactating women. In all other women mammography followed by sonography is the standard recommendation. Several clinical research studies including a prospective one conducted at the Woman’s Hospital have shown that the diagnostic accuracy of a combined mammographic and sonographic evaluation approaches 100%, however so as not to miss the rare case of cancer in a woman with negative mammogram and ultrasound close clinical surveillance is still advised with a need for biopsy if the lump enlarges or is considered clinically suspicious.
