When health professionals talk about screening for a disease, they mean using some sort of test to see if a person has a particular condition. The purpose of screening is to detect and treat cancer earlier, because, in general, early treatment improves the chances of survival. There are several screening tests for breast cancer. Which ones you use depend on your age and other risk factors.
A useful tool for finding breast lumps is a breast self-examination (BSE). Doctors recommend that women learn to do this exam in their late teens or early 20s. Make sure to examine both your breasts carefully each month at the end of your menstrual period, or at a set time each month, if you no longer menstruate.
If you find a lump in your breast, call your doctor. Most lumps (eight out of 10) are not cancer, but that does not mean that you can assume a lump you find is harmless. You must have your doctor examine it.
The best time for breast self examination (BSE) is about a week after your period ends, when your breasts are not swollen or tender. If you are not having regular periods, do BSE on the same day every month.
Reprinted by the permission of the American Cancer Society, Inc.
You should also have a health professional examine your breasts on a regular basis — every three years for women age 20 to 39, and every year for women age 40 and over.
A mammogram uses X-rays to take pictures of your breast tissue. Technicians take the pictures, and a doctor (a radiologist) "reads" the pictures to find any breast abnormalities. A mammogram takes very little time, and is an important way to protect your breast health.
The technician usually takes two pictures, or films, of each breast. To take the picture, your breast is compressed between two plates. The compression can feel somewhat uncomfortable, but it lasts for only a few seconds. The entire mammogram usually takes about 20 minutes.
A screening mammogram can be used to check women who have no symptoms of breast cancer for the earliest signs of the disease. Many professional organizations recommend that women have a mammogram annually beginning at the age of 40. Often your doctor may request that you get your first, or "baseline," mammogram in your late 30s. Younger women who are at higher risk for breast cancer may also have screening mammograms. The radiologist will look for several types of changes on a screening mammogram:
One of the reasons regular mammograms are so helpful is that they allow the radiologist who inspects them to note any changes in your breast over time. If you move or change physicians, you need to make sure that you know where your past mammograms are stored. Keep a list showing the dates of your mammograms and the place where each was performed. It is important to obtain the films from the previous facilities so that they are available to the radiologist when you have your next mammogram.
Your doctor may recommend that you take additional steps to protect your health if you know that you are at high risk for breast cancer. He or she may recommend that you undergo screening tests, such as mammography, before the recommended age of 40. Some doctors may also recommend that you have a magnetic resonance image (MRI) taken of your breast. This technique uses magnetic fields to create a detailed picture of breast tissue. No X-rays are involved.
If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may want to consider undergoing genetic testing to see if you have a mutation of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Deciding whether to undergo this type of testing is a complex process. A genetic counselor can help you to consider all the arguments for and against testing.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
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