Breast Cancer: Early Detection

Why is it important to find breast cancer early?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the US (after skin cancer). It is also a leading cause of death. With regular checks of the breast, most cancers can be found at an early stage, before they spread to other parts of the body. This is very important because when breast cancer is found early, before it spreads, it can often be cured.

Some women have a higher risk for breast cancer than others, but any woman can get breast cancer. All women should be alert and check their breasts regularly.

What are the best ways to detect breast cancer early?

You can do 3 things:

• Do monthly breast self-exams of your breasts.
• Have regular medical checkups that include a check of your breasts by your healthcare provider.
• Have regular mammograms, according to your provider's recommendations based on your age and your family history.

Some women who have a very high risk of breast cancer may also need to be screened with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Breast self-examination

Breast self-exams should be done once a month. If you still menstruate, do it a few days after your period. If you no longer menstruate, do it about the same time each month.

If you are not sure about how to do the exam, ask your healthcare provider to give you information or show you how to do it.

If you notice a lump in your breast, have it examined by your provider right away.

Exams by your healthcare provider

Have a breast exam by your healthcare provider at least every 3 years if you are 20 to 39 years old and every year after the age of 40. Your provider can identify lumps the size of a pea, smaller than a woman can typically find on her own. In addition, a trained examiner can find lumps that are located in areas that are hard for a mammogram to detect, such as deep under the breast, near the chest wall.

Mammograms

A mammogram is a special X-ray of the breast. It can show abnormalities that are too small to feel, so it is an excellent way to screen women for early breast cancer. However, although mammograms show most breast cancers, they do not find all cancers. Because of this, breast self-exams and physical exams by your provider are very important. These exams may find cancers that do not show on the mammogram and cancers that develop between mammograms.

All women age 40 to 70 years old, who are in good health, should be screened for breast cancer with mammography every 1 to 2 years after counseling by their healthcare provider about the possible risks and benefits of the procedure. Comparing mammograms from year to year can help detect early cancer. If you are over 70, ask your healthcare provider how often you should have a mammogram.

If you have a much higher than average risk for breast cancer and are 25 years old or older, ask your healthcare provider when you should start having mammograms and how often you should have them. A provider who specializes in breast disease may calculate what your risk is and whether your risk is high enough to need MRI.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MRI is additional way to screen for breast cancer. It is used with mammograms, since neither method alone can find 100% of breast cancers. Women who may need an MRI are those who have the highest risk for breast cancer. They are women who:

• have a genetic abnormality making them more likely to get breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• have an immediate family member with the BRCA abnormality
• have had radiation to the chest for some other medical condition
• have a history of previous breast cancer
• have dense breasts, which prevent good quality mammogram results.

If you are unsure if any of these risks apply to you, ask your healthcare provider if you need a breast MRI.

If you are told that your mammogram is abnormal or that there are changes from your last mammogram, do not panic. It is likely to be just normal tissue, but you will need to have it checked further. This may be done with more mammogram images, ultrasound, or a needle biopsy, depending on the size and location of the abnormal finding.

Remember, early detection is your best defense against cancer.