Tests You May Have
Tests play an important role before, during and after breast cancer is found. Before, tests help confirm the diagnosis
. After, they can be used to learn more about the size, extent and traits of the cancer, as well as how best to treat it. If you suspect a genetic link, tests can help you and your family learn more about your inherited risk of breast cancer. During treatment, tests may be used to monitor whether therapy is working well against the cancer.
Waiting for tests and test results can be one of the most stressful and frustrating parts of breast cancer care. Be patient with yourself. Tests are an important tool to help you and your healthcare team make informed decisions. Ask your provider how long you should expect to wait for results, and don’t hesitate to follow up if you do not receive your results on time.
In this section, read about some of the tests you may need as part of ongoing breast cancer care. For more details about what you can find in this section, look at the navigation on the left.