What specialties of physicians and practitioners do breast biopsies?
Many physicians and healthcare practitioners can be involved in evaluating a woman for a breast biopsy. • For example, breast abnormalities during a physical examination might be noticed by a family physician, internist, gynecologist, or nurse practitioner. Women themselves are frequently the first to detect abnormalities in their breasts. • Radiologists are specialists in interpreting x-rays such as mammograms, as well as other imaging studies. Radiologists or surgeons often perform the procedure to obtain the breast tissue sample. • Anesthesiologists (specialists in administering anesthesia and monitoring a patient’s vital signs) are sometimes necessary during surgical procedures. • Pathologists are physician specialists who examine and identify under a microscope the type of cells in the samples and determine whether or not cancer is present. Who should have a breast biopsy? Anyone, female or male, with a suspicious breast growth or other symptoms of breast cancer should undergo a b
