Skip to main content

Questions to ask about breast cancer diagnosis

When discussing breast changes with your doctor, ask about necessary tests, potential risks and benefits, costs, procedures, and support options, while inquiring about the location and type of breast cancer if diagnosed.

When discussing possible tests to investigate breast changes with your doctor, you may want to ask: 

  • Which tests do I need to have? 
  • What will the test show? 
  • What are the risks of the test? 
  • What will the test involve? 
  • How much will the test cost? 
  • How will I feel during/after the test? 
  • Can I bring a friend/family member with me while I have the test? 
  • Can you write my test results down? 
  • Will the results of my tests make any difference to what treatments I can have? 

When discussing breast cancer test results, you may want to ask: 

  • Where is my breast cancer? 
  • Can I have a copy of my pathology report? 
  • Can you explain my pathology report to me? 
  • Is my breast cancer hormone receptor positive or HER2 positive? What does this mean for me? 
  • Can you write down what you have told me so that I can read it again later? 

Read more about the different treatments available to treat breast cancer and where to find support.  

Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

If you would like an interpreter to help you understand any information on this website, please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call Cancer Australia on 02 9357 9400. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

© 2025 Cancer Australia. All rights reserved.