Diagnosis
See your GP if you have symptoms of breast cancer. They will examine you and ask about your symptoms.
Your GP can refer you to a specialist breast clinic for the following scans and tests if needed.
Ultrasound scan
An ultrasound scan of your breast may be carried out to look for a lump in your breast and see it it's solid or filled with fluid. A solid lump is more likely to be cancerous.
An ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your breasts.
You'll need to remove your top for the test, which involves a small device being moved over your chest to create an image on a screen.
Breast X-ray (mammogram)
An X-ray of your breast, called a mammogram, may be carried out to look for any lumps or unusual areas.
You take your top off for the test and your chest will be firmly pressed against a special plate while the scan is taken.
Biopsy
If a lump or unusual area is found in your breast, a biopsy will be carried out to check if it's cancer.
This is where a small piece of breast tissue is removed using a needle. Local anaesthetic is used to numb your skin so the needle does not hurt.
The piece of tissue will be checked in a laboratory to see if it contains any cancer cells and to find out more about the cells (such as whether hormone treatment might work).
Coping with a diagnosis
Being told you have breast cancer can cause a wide range of emotions, such as shock, fear, confusion and, in some cases, embarrassment.
Feelings of isolation are also common. This may be because there's little in the way of information and advice for men with breast cancer.
Speak to your GP or care team if you're struggling to come to terms with your diagnosis. They can offer support and advice.
You may also find it useful to talk to other men with the condition. The charity Breast Cancer Care has an online forum for men with breast cancer. Cancer Research UK also has Cancer Chat, an online forum for anyone affected by cancer.
Page last reviewed: Sun Apr 2020 Next review due: Wed Feb 2020
