‘Charlie’s Angels’ Star Lucy Liu, 57, Says She ‘Didn’t Know Enough’ When She Prematurely Concluded a Lump In Her Breast Was Cancer, When She Learned It Was Benign, She’d Already Had Breast Cancer Surgery

At the time, breast cancer screening tools and clinical guidance were less advanced. Fear often filled the gaps where information and technology were limited.

“When it happened [in the ’90s], I didn’t know enough. The technology that exists now at your fingertips did not exist then,” she told InStyle.

Today, clinicians rely on a more methodical process. Observable symptoms that warrant further evaluation can include:

• A new breast lump
• Swelling in one breast
• Nipple changes (such as puckering)
• Redness or flaking of the breast or nipple
• Nipple discharge, including blood
• Breast pain

If a mammogram or self-exam raises concerns, doctors may order a diagnostic mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI.

When imaging suggests something suspicious, the next step is a biopsy—removing a small sample of tissue to determine whether cancer is present.

“A biopsy is warranted or recommended when a woman has a lump that’s found on imaging, and it’s suspicious,” explains medical oncologist Dr. Elizabeth Comen.

Only a biopsy can confirm or rule out breast cancer.

 

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Liu says she never reached that step. Instead, she trusted a doctor’s initial assessment and moved straight to preventative surgery to remove the lump. Only afterward did she learn the mass was benign (non-cancerous).

“I just trusted that the doctor knew what he was talking about. That was really the greatest error, because I should’ve gotten a scan,” she said.

Liu says her friend urged her to get a second opinion.

“The panic and fear of something that’s unknown can trigger bad decisions,” Liu said.

Liu’s breast cancer scare serves as a reminder for patients to slow down, ask questions, and gather multiple perspectives.

“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care,” says National Cancer Institute chief of surgery Dr. Steven Rosenberg.

“Finding a doctor who is up on the latest information is important, and it’s always important to get other opinions so that you can make the best decisions for yourself in consultation with your care providers,” Dr. Rosenberg added.

WATCH: The Difference a Second Opinion Can Make.

What to Expect Ahead of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis?

Diagnostic testing plays a critical role in shaping your care plan. If a mammogram or clinical breast exam reveals something abnormal, your care team may recommend:

• Diagnostic mammogram and breast ultrasound to get a closer look at the breast and nearby lymph nodes
• MRI scans for additional imaging detail
• Biopsy of suspicious areas, including lymph nodes, to confirm cancer
• Tumor marker testing to identify hormone receptors and proteins that influence treatment options
• Additional imaging to check for any signs of metastatic disease

Once all this information is gathered, your cancer is staged—based on tumor size, lymph node involvement, and whether it has spread. Staging helps guide treatment decisions, while hormone receptor and protein marker tests reveal how the cancer behaves and which therapies may be most effective.

Your healthcare team will consider all of these factors—alongside your personal health, values, and goals—to create a treatment plan tailored to you.

Understanding Early-Stage Breast Cancer and What Comes Next

Early-stage breast cancer means the tumor is small and hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. According to Dr. Comen, the first step is usually surgery to remove the cancer. This may involve a lumpectomy, where only the tumor and surrounding tissue are removed, often followed by radiation therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.

However, treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Factors like age, tumor size, family history, and personal preference may influence whether radiation is needed or if a patient chooses a more aggressive approach, such as a mastectomy—removal of the entire breast. After surgery, a pathologist examines the tissue under a microscope to help determine the next steps in treatment.

When to Screen for Breast Cancer

The medical community has a broad consensus that women should have annual mammograms between the ages of 45 and 54. However, an independent panel of experts called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is saying that women should now start getting mammograms every other year at the age of 40, suggesting that this lowered age for breast cancer screening could save 19% more lives.

The American Cancer Society recommends getting a mammogram every other year for women 55 and older. However, women in this age group who want added reassurance can still get annual mammograms.

WATCH: Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer.

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation known to increase the risk of breast cancer, such as a BRCA gene mutation, or a medical history, including chest radiation therapy before the age of 30, are considered at higher risk for breast cancer.

Experiencing menstruation at an early age (before 12) or having dense breasts can also put you into a high-risk category. If you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, you should begin screening earlier.

Regular Self-Exams Are Helpful In Between Mammograms

A self-breast exam is an easy way to monitor your breasts for abnormalities. It involves feeling the breast for swelling, bulging, or changes in the shape of the breast or nipple.

WATCH: How to perform a self-exam.

Checking for signs of redness, rashes, or discharge is also part of this exam. If anything is found that is concerning, you should contact your doctor. It’s important to note that self-exams should be done with regular mammograms.

Help Coping With a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

If you are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, your emotions are likely to run high, which is completely normal. Psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik says emotions are often fluid when coping with a diagnosis.

“The patient or person going through the stressful event should accept that emotions will be fluid. You may feel fine one day and then feel a massive wave of stress the next. It’s also important for those you look to for support, whether that’s a therapist, friends, and family, or both, to understand the fluidity of stress-related emotions,” Dr. Plutchik said.

WATCH: How to cope with complex and changing emotions.

If a stressful event affects how you think and feel, it may be time to seek mental health treatment. This could mean traditional talk therapy, medication, changing lifestyle habits (like exercise and diet), seeking a support group, or many other approaches.

SurvivorNet experts suggest that women who need a little extra help coping with a breast cancer diagnosis.

• Let your family and close friends know, and let them help. So many cancer survivors tell us they want and need support, but are often too preoccupied to make specific requests. Urge those close to you to jump in with whatever practical help they can offer.
• Keep a journal. It can be extremely cathartic to let those feelings loose on paper. Grab a pen and a nice journal and chronicle your thoughts throughout the day.
• Join a cancer support group. Groups in nearly every community offer opportunities to connect with others going through a similar journey. You’ll learn constructive insight from others who can tell you what to expect and how to stay strong on tough days.
• Consider seeing a therapist. Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist so you can discuss your fears and concerns in a safe space. Often, vocalizing your thoughts and feelings rather than internalizing them can provide relief.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

If you have a breast cancer screening coming up or have recently had one, you may have questions you want answered. SurvivorNet suggests the following questions to kickstart your conversation with your doctor.

• Do I have dense breasts?
• Do I need to undergo additional or more sensitive screening?
• How is my risk level being assessed?
• Will insurance cover additional screening if needed?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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