A breast clinic is a place where women's health specialists diagnose and treat issues related to breast health such as breast cancer, breast disease and conditions related to pregnancy, breast feeding and menopause.
Getting a breast cancer diagnosis can be frightening, overwhelming and exhausting. Just hearing the word "cancer" is enough to evoke feelings of panic and despair. The apprehension is so great, in fact, that many women even avoid scheduling mammograms because they are afraid of positive results. If, by chance, you find out you do have breast cancer, there are several coping mechanisms available to help ease the blow.
Breast cancer symptoms can range from lumps in the breast to changes in the skin. It can affect any woman at any age, although a woman's chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age and also increases in the months immediately following childbirth due to the raised hormone levels circulating throughout the body. Once a woman is suspected to have cancer, the actual process of diagnosis can take weeks and involves a multitude of tests and screenings.
The American Cancer Society says women with a notably high risk of developing breast cancer would be prudent to undergo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans along with their annual mammogram. In addition to spotting potential malignancies, an MRI is sometimes used as a complimentary tool for previously diagnosed breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States, after skin cancer. Detection and treatment of breast cancer have made great strides in recent years. This is largely credited to the boosts researchers have gotten from public awareness and fund-raising campaigns.