Current evaluation of breast health concerns and diagnosis of breast cancer.

The process leading to diagnosis of breast cancer has changed over the past 20 years with improvements in diagnostic imaging and a shift from surgical biopsy to image-guided core needle biopsy. History-taking and physical examination, diagnostic breast imaging, and biopsy are essential when evaluating breast concerns, as is the use of the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) when describing findings. Assessment of the concordance between physical examination findings, imaging, and biopsy pathology is also essential to diagnosis, and minimizes surgical intervention. The roles of the primary care physician, radiologist, and surgeon have changed as well over the past 20 years, meaning that the optimal management of patients with breast concerns is now multidisciplinary. Referring physicians have different roles in navigating patients through the diagnostic system in different communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]