Breast biopsy always is not always a major issue or concern as it does not definitely mean that one has breast cancer, as is the general outlook. And breast cancer is not the only disease as there are also other disorders related to breast.

Breast disorders can be traced when there are symptoms like changes in the size and shape of breast, nipple discharge, scaly skin on breast, lump in armpit area, reddening of breast skin, nipple itching or breast pain. These may imply non-cancerous disorders like Phyllodes tumor, Paget's disease etc. Many breast changes also take place due to hormone levels, age and medicines causing lumps, bumps and discharges. Some common causes of breast changes are cysts - fluid-filled lumps, fibroadenomas - solid, round, rubbery lumps that move easily when pushed, occurring most in younger women, fibrocystic breast condition - lumpiness, thickening and swelling, often associated with a woman's period, intraductal papillomas - growths similar to warts near the nipple, blocked or clogged milk ducts, milk production when a woman is not breastfeeding and injury.

The presence of a lump can be confirmed by palpation, feeling the entire breast, by a doctor. Imaging studies like MRI – magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound may also be done or even mammography may be recommended. When the presence of the lump is confirmed, a breast biopsy is recommended.

First of all, one needs to know what is a biopsy. It is a medical test wherein the presence, reason or scope of the disease is determined by collecting and checking a cell or tissue sample from the body. Similarly, breast biopsy procedure involves collecting a sample tissue from the lump in the breast by a surgical or non-surgical method. The invasive method includes making an incision and removing the entire lump (which is known as lumpectomy) or its sample. In the non-invasive method, breast needle biopsy or fine needle aspiration biopsy or vacuum-assisted breast biopsy are employed. Risks in breast biopsy, like infection, pain and discomfort are minimal.

An abnormal biopsy result does not always mean breast cancer. It would mean that the lump is either cancerous or non-cancerous and would determine its malignancy. Benign growths result in disorders like papilloma, adenofibroma, cyst and fat necrosis while malignant growths include adenocarcinoma, inflammatory carcinoma, and colloid carcinoma, infiltrating ductal carcinoma, sarcoma, lobular carcinoma and medullar or circumscribed carcinoma. In case of malignant lump, immediate further treatment is recommended. One can always get second opinions about it and know more with online healthcare services.