• Mammography is widely recommended as a screening tool. A screening mammogram uses X-ray technology to produce an image of the breasts and can reveal breast cancer up to two years before a lump is large enough to be felt during a clinical or self-examination.
• Digital mammography may yield a clearer image than a mammography in some cases.
• Younger women, whose breast tissue is often too dense to show tumours clearly on the X-ray film used for a standard mammogram, may benefit from ultrasound examination or rarely, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• Ductal lavage is an experimental technique in which the doctor extracts cells via a tiny tube inserted through the patient's nipple. Trials have been undertaken in the US but more evidence will be required before it is known whether this will be a useful test for breast cancer.

Tests: BRCA, tumour markers, CA 15-3, Her-2/neu, hormone receptor status
Screening: Tests for young adults: breast cancer, Tests for adults: breast cancer