Women are encouraged to start regular breast screening at the age of 40 (or 35 for those with family history) so that cancer if present, could have a higher chance of being detected before they become palpable.
Triple assessment for breast abnormalities include:

1. Physical diagnosis through examination by doctor
2. Imaging diagnosis – ultrasound, mammogram, +/- magnetic resonance imaging
3. Cytohistological diagnosis – fine needle aspiration(FNA) or core needle biopsy (CNB) or vacuum assisted core needle biopsy (sVAB)

If any one of the three assessment is indeterminate or suspicious, the abnormality has to be removed for 100% diagnosis of its nature. Concordant result from triple assessment ( all 3 tests being in agreement ) is around 95% accurate for benign diagnosis. However, follow up is necessary to look for any interval change which may require surgical intervention.

Breast Signs Suspicious for Cancer: