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pathologist

(pa-THOL-uh-jist)

A doctor who checks tissue or fluid taken from the body to see if it is normal or abnormal (diseased). Pathologists use a microscope to do this. If the tissue is abnormal, they describe the nature and extent of disease. They also have special tests that look at cell activity, proteins, and genes. They take all of this information and put in a pathology report.

For more information, see Breastcancer.org's Screening & Testing section.

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