| Breast cancer staging refers to the procedure of | | | | compared to traditional x-ray because all the bones |
| finding out the extent to which the cancer has | | | | can be seen at the same time. The bone scan usually |
| spread once you have been diagnosed. The results | | | | involves the injection of a radioactive material that is |
| of the biopsy and physical exam will determine the | | | | low level through your vein. The radioactive material |
| staging procedures that your doctor will conduct on | | | | changes color after some hours and is used by the |
| you. | | | | camera to create an image of the skeleton. The |
| A chest x-ray is usually conducted to check whether | | | | areas that indicate change in color may have been |
| your lungs have are already been affected by the | | | | affected by the cancer but this is not always a |
| cancer. | | | | conclusive test since bone diseases can also result in |
| If a mammogram has not yet been done, extensive | | | | a change in color. Further tests done using x-rays, |
| ones have to be done for a thorough view of your | | | | MRI or CT scans can be used to determine whether |
| breasts. | | | | the change is due to cancer or not. A biopsy of |
| Breast cancer can also spread to your bone | | | | samples from the bones will also produce a conclusive |
| therefore a bone scan has to be performed to check | | | | result. |
| if any cancer is present. It is more effective | | | | |