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Contents
  • Who Should Get Screened?
  • Screening Methods
  • Benefits vs. Risks
  • What to Expect

Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Screening

Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Screening

The Big Picture

Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in women worldwide. Understanding screening options is crucial for early detection and improved outcomes.
Contents
  • Who Should Get Screened?
  • Screening Methods
  • Benefits vs. Risks
  • What to Expect

Who Should Get Screened?

Most experts recommend women start regular mammograms between ages 40-50. Women at higher risk due to family history or genetic factors may need to start earlier. Talk to your doctor about when to begin screening based on your personal risk factors.

Screening Methods

Mammograms are the gold standard for breast cancer screening. They can detect tumors before they're large enough to feel. Other options like breast MRI may be recommended for high-risk women. While breast self-exams aren't proven to reduce deaths, being familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel is still important.
Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in women worldwide. Early detection through screening such as mammograms can improve treatment outcomes.

Benefits vs. Risks

Regular screening can catch cancer early when it's most treatable. However, false positives can lead to unnecessary anxiety and procedures. Overdiagnosis is also a concern - some slow-growing cancers may never become life-threatening. Discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.

What to Expect

During a mammogram, each breast is compressed between two plates to spread the tissue. This can be uncomfortable but only lasts a few seconds per image. You'll be asked to hold your breath briefly while X-rays are taken. The entire process usually takes about 20 minutes.

FAQs

How often should I get screened?

Most women should get mammograms every 1-2 years.

Are mammograms painful?

They can be uncomfortable but shouldn't be painful.

What if I have dense breasts?

Additional screening may be recommended.

Is radiation from mammograms dangerous?

The benefits outweigh the very low radiation risk.

Should I do breast self-exams?

Know your breasts, but don't rely solely on self-exams.

The Bottom Line

While not perfect, regular screening remains the best way to detect breast cancer early when it's most treatable.
Ready to take charge of your breast health? Talk to Doctronic about creating a personalized screening plan.
Additional References
  1. Oeffinger KC, et al. JAMA. 2015;314(15):1599-1614.
  2. US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2016;315(15):1599-1614.
  3. American Cancer Society. CA Cancer J Clin. 2015;65(5):410-414.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.