For Women Facing a Breast Biopsy

Some women who have an abnormal mammogram or a lump in the breast may need to get a breast biopsy, where a doctor removes a small piece of breast tissue for testing. Here we explain what a breast biopsy is, how it's done, and what it might find. Click on the topics below to get started.

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• For Women Facing a Breast Biopsy
• Benign breast conditions: Not all lumps are cancer
• Diagnostic tests for breast conditions
• Types of biopsy procedures
• Questions to ask before having a biopsy
• Your breast biopsy results
• Biopsy and surgery: Two-step or one-step procedure?
• Waiting for the results
• You are not alone: Getting emotional support
• Additional resources
• Appendix A: What is breast cancer?
• Appendix B: Guidelines for early detection of breast cancer
• Appendix C: Mammograms: Finding hidden breast cancer
• Appendix D: American Cancer Society support services for people facing cancer