With regular breast exams and mammograms, breast cancer has a better chance of being diagnosed at an early stage. It is recommended by the National Cancer Institute that women who are not at high risk for breast cancer have a clinical breast exam at least every three years until the age of 40, then yearly thereafter. It is also recommended that women at normal risk begin getting yearly mammograms (breast X-rays) starting at the age of 40. Breast self-exams, although not mandatory, are a good way for women to know their own breast structure and recognize physical changes.
Here is more information about the major types of breast cancer screenings:
Breast Self-Examinations
This technique can be learned from a health professional. It is not mandatory, but it can make a woman aware of her normal breast structure and notice when something is different. It is suggested that breast self-exams be started at approximately the age of 20.
Clinical Breast Exams
It is suggested that a clinical exam be performed by a health provider (doctor, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner) every three years. At the age of forty, this should be increased to once annually. During these exams, the practitioner will also check for enlarged lymph nodes in the armpits.
Together, self-exams and clinical exams can increase the odds of detecting early breast cancer. Self-exams get a patient used to the feel of normal breast tissue and tissue that deviates from normal. Clinical exams help patients by detecting lumps that are too deep or subtle for self-examination.
Mammograms
There are two types of mammograms:
Screening mammograms are preventative in that they check for yearly changes in breast tissue. A baseline mammogram is generally done at around age 40, with yearly comparisons made against this baseline test.
Diagnostic mammograms are performed when a doctor or a patient feels a palpable breast lump or change in breast structure or shape. Extra images of the questionable area may be taken.
Ultrasounds
Ultrasonic imaging is great for palpable lumps (especially for women under the age of 40) because no radiation is produced during the exam. Ultrasounds are also good at determining the consistency of a found lump, showing the difference between a suspicious mass and a benign cyst.
MRIs
A fairly new breast cancer screening test is the MRI, which is good at detecting pathology in women with dense breast tissue (when it is not clearly photographed with mammograms alone.)
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