The who, what and when of breast cancer screening

You probably know that breast cancer screening plays a critical role in diagnosing cancer when it’s most treatable. Do you know when screening should begin?

Healthcare guidelines for when women should start screening and how often they should screen continue to evolve. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation changed earlier this year.

Wondering how to make sense of the screening recommendations? Your women’s health provider can offer a personalized recommendation based on your specific health needs, but our Lakeside Hospital team shares some general guidance below.

Why breast cancer screening matters

Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer among women. While it’s common, it’s also usually quite treatable, especially when detected early. The five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer found in a localized stage is 99%.

The purpose of screening is to look for breast cancer before it begins causing any symptoms. Because it’s done before symptoms develop, screening for breast cancer often helps to find breast cancer when it’s still in a localized stage, meaning it hasn’t spread outside the breast.

In this stage—or in a regionalized stage, where cancer has spread only to nearby tissue and lymph nodes—breast cancer can be treated most effectively and often cured.

The basics of breast cancer screening

Organizations differ on guidelines for when women should begin having screening mammograms and how often they should have them. With that said, however, screening mammograms are recommended across the board.

The USPSTF now recommends screening mammograms begin at 40 for women at average risk, continuing every other year until age 74. Other guidelines recommend screening on an annual basis, and your medical provider can help you determine what’s right for you based on your risk for breast cancer.

Mammograms are a specialized type of X-ray that captures detailed images of breast tissue. Digital mammography is now the standard, and 3D mammography provides a three-dimensional view of the breast.

There are two types of mammograms—screening mammograms, used to check breast tissue on a routine basis, and diagnostic mammograms, which are ordered as needed. A diagnostic mammogram may be recommended if a suspicious spot shows up in a screening mammogram or if you’re experiencing symptoms of breast cancer.

What about other types of breast cancer screening?

You may have heard about two other types of screening for breast cancer: the breast self-exam and the clinical breast exam. While both were previously recommended to detect lumps and other signs of breast cancer, they aren’t recommended as formal screening tests now.

Your medical provider may still examine your breasts during your annual well-woman checkup, though. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself with your breasts, including what they feel and look like so that you will be alert to any changes.

If you’re at high risk due to risk factors such as dense breasts or a family history of breast cancer, your provider may recommend you have mammograms more frequently or that you have additional tests such as breast MRI or breast ultrasound.

Genetic testing may also be recommended if your mother or sister has been diagnosed with breast cancer since having specific genetic mutations can increase your risk.

What’s most important to know about breast cancer screening is that it’s not one size fits all. Every woman is unique—and her screening needs are, too.

Are you due for a mammogram? Schedule a screening mammogram at Lakeside Hospital quickly and easily online.