According to the American Cancer Society, the goal of screening exams for early breast cancer detection is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms. Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease, such as cancer, in people who do not have any symptoms. Early detection means using an approach that lets breast cancer get diagnosed earlier than otherwise might have occurred.
- Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.
- Clinical breast exam (CBE) is recommended about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and older.
- Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Breast cancers that are found because they are causing symptoms tend to be larger and are more likely to have already spread beyond the breast. In contrast, breast cancers found during screening exams are more likely to be smaller and still confined to the breast. The size of a breast cancer and how far it has spread are some of the most important factors in predicting the prognosis (outlook) of a woman with this disease.
Community Westview Breast Center is located on the first floor (just off the lobby) of Community Healthplex at 3660 Guion Road, Indianapolis, Indiana. You can contact the center directly to schedule your patients’ mammogram at 317-920-4400. Remember, breast cancer can be diagnosed at an early stage when it can be treated most successfully.