Breast Cancer Screening

Mammograms “can save your life.
Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of
dying from the disease by 25-30% or more”.1

Umbrella
What may the Breast Cancer Screening Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Breast Cancer (Female) Screening
  • Breast Cancer Early Detection
  • Breast Cancer Screening
  • Breast Screening
  • Breast X-Ray Screening

Cancer Screening

What is cancer screening?

DotS the definition of cancer screening may vary. In Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: What Is Screening? the (United States) National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) definition is:

“Screening is looking for signs of disease, such as breast cancer, before a person has symptoms”.2

Breast Screening

What is breast screening?

DotS the definition of breast screening may vary. In Breast Screening: What Is Breast Screening? the [United Kingdom) Cancer Research UK’s definition is:

“Breast screening uses a test called mammography which involves taking x-rays of the breasts. Screening can help to find breast cancers early when they are too small to see or feel. These tiny breast cancers are usually easier to treat than larger ones”.3

Early Detection

What is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early?

In Mammograms: What Is the Best Method of Detecting Breast Cancer As Early As Possible? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov elaborate on:

“A high-quality mammogram plus a clinical breast exam, an exam done by your doctor, is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early. Finding breast cancer early greatly improves a woman’s chances for successful treatment”.4

In Mammography: Benefits, Risks, What You Need To Know – Important Things To Know About Mammograms the (United States) Breastcancer.org elaborate on:

  • “They can save your life. Finding breast cancer early reduces your risk of dying from the disease by 25-30% or more”.5

Mammogram

What is a mammogram?

In Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: Breast Cancer Screening – Mammography Is the Most Common Screening Test for Breast Cancer [+ Images] the NCI elaborate on:

“A mammogram is a picture of the inside of the breast. Mammography may find tumors that are too small to feel. It may also find ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In DCIS, abnormal cells line the breast duct, and in some women may become invasive cancer”.6

How is a mammogram performed?

In Mammography: Summary [+ Image] the (United States) MedlinePlus elaborate on:

“When you have a mammogram, you stand in front of an x-ray machine. The person who takes the x-rays places your breast between two plastic plates. The plates press your breast and make it flat. This may be uncomfortable, but it helps get a clear picture”.7

Why should women have mammograms?

In Breast Cancer: What Is Breast Cancer Screening? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elaborate on:

“For many women, mammograms are the best way to find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat and before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms. Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer. At this time, a mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer for most women of screening age”.8

Breast Implants

If women have breast implants is breast cancer screening harmful?

In Breast Checks: Mammograms – Breast Implants the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health note:

“If you have breast implants, screening is not harmful. Just let your doctor and screening centre know you have implants before a mammogram is performed”.9

Clinical Breast Exam

What is a clinical breast exam (CBE)?

In Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: Breast Cancer Screening – Other Screening Tests Have Been or Are Being Studies In Clinical Trials: Clinical Breast Exam the NCI elaborate on:

“A clinical breast exam is an exam of the breast by a doctor or other health professional. He or she will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for lumps or anything else that seems unusual. It is not known if having clinical breast exams decreases the chance of dying from breast cancer”.10

The NCI also note:

“Breast self-exams may be done by women or men to check their breasts for lumps or other changes. If you feel any lumps or notice any other changes in your breasts, talk to your doctor. Doing regular breast self-exams has not been shown to decrease the chance of dying from breast cancer”.11

Start

When may women start having regular breast cancer screening?

Depending on You (DoY), DotS and/or Depending on Your Country’s (DoyC’s) breast cancer screening program, when women may start having regular breast screening can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you.

Breast Cancer Screening

How Often

How often may women have regular breast cancer screening?

DoY, DotS and/or DoYC’s breast screening program, how often women may have regular breast cancer screening can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you.

Stop

When may women stop having regular breast cancer screening?

DoY, DotS and/or DoYC’s breast screening program, when women may stop having regular breast cancer screening can vary. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what’s-what for you.

Screening Programs

Where may women find information about breast cancer screening or early detection programs?

Women may find information about breast cancer screening or early detection programs from their health care provider or their country’s equivalent of a local community health center, national and/or state Department/Center/Institute of Aging/Cancer/Disease Control and Prevention/Health/Human Services.

Your country may have a breast cancer early detection program similar to the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) program.

In National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You the CDC elaborate on:

“CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) provides breast and cervical cancer screenings and diagnostic services to women who have low incomes and are uninsured or underinsured”.12

NBCCEDP

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have breast changes?

If you think you have breast changes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this as soon as possible.

In Mammograms: Why Should I Have One? the (United States) Food and Drug Administration caution:

“Mammograms can not find all problems. So, every woman should work with her doctor to check her breasts. Call your doctor or clinic if you notice any change in your breasts like:

  • A lump
  • Thickening
  • Liquid leaking from the nipple or changes in how the nipple looks”.13

On page two in Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Participation In the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) the (British) Women’s Health Concern also encourage us to get checked, any changes we notice:

  • “As cancers can develop between screening mammograms or be missed by a screening mammogram, it is still important to be breast aware and report any new breast symptoms or signs to your GP. Do not wait until the next scheduled mammogram to check these out”.14

Who is a GP?

DotS and/or DotC (Depending on the Country) a GP may be a qualified and registered general practitioner, a medical practitioner, a medical doctor or a doctor.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Breast Cancer Screening?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Breast Cancer Screening?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

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  8. Breast Cancer Awareness Month [Australia]
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  11. Breast Cancer Awareness [+ Video: When Should I Start Getting Mammograms?]
  12. Breast Cancer Screening (Mammogram) [United Kingdom]
  13. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: Breast Cancer Screening [+ Images]
  14. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: What Is Screening?
  15. Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer Awareness
  16. Breast Cancer: What Does It Mean To Have Dense Breasts?
  17. Breast Cancer: What Is A Mammogram?
  18. Breast Cancer: What Is Breast Cancer Screening?
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  22. Breast Implants: Do They Interfere With Mammograms?
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  30. COVID-19 Vaccine: Wondering If I Should Reschedule My Mammogram?
  31. Clearing Up Confusion Over Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations [United States] [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  33. Consumer Health: Are You Due for A Mammogram?
  34. Consumer Health: Breast Implants and Cancer Risk
  35. Coppafeel.org [CoppaFeel! United Kingdom]
  36. Diagnosing Breast Conditions
  37. Does Breast or Ovarian Cancer Run In Your Family?
  38. Expert Alert: Awareness Key To Recognizing Breast Cancer Symptoms
  39. Find A Screening Program Near You [United States]
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  41. Foundationforwomenscancer.org [Foundation for Women’s Cancer, United States]
    Breast Cancer Screening
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  62. Mayo Clinic Expert Answers Questions About Breast Cancer Screening, Levels of Risk and Latest In Imaging [+ Video]
  63. Mayo Clinic Minute: 3 Reasons You Need A 3D Mammogram [+ Video]
  64. Mayo Clinic Minute: Breast Cancer In Hispanic Women In the US, Importance of Screening [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  65. Mayo Clinic Minute: Determining If You Have Dense Breasts [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
  66. Mayo Clinic Minute: Mammograms, COVID-19 Vaccines and Timing [+ Video]
  67. Mayo Clinic Minute: Why Breast Cancer Screening Is Important [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  72. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
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  75. Preventive Screening During COVID-19 Pandemic Leads To Early Diagnosis of Treatable Breast Cancer [+ Video Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network]
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  82. Video Series-2022: Understanding Screening Guidelines for Breast Cancer and the Importance of Identifying Risk Factors
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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Mammography: Benefits, Risks, What You Need To Know – Important Things To Know About Mammograms. Last Updated: 27 July 2022. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/mammograms/benefits-risks Accessed: 10 January 2023
  2. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: What Is Screening? Updated: 06 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-screening-pdq#_13 Accessed: 10 January 2023
  3. Breast Screening: What Is Breast Screening? Last Reviewed: 03 September 2020. Cancer Research UK https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer/getting-diagnosed/screening/breast-screening Accessed: 10 January 2023
  4. Mammograms: What Is the Best Method of Detecting Breast Cancer As Early As Possible? Page Last Updated: 22 February 2021. Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/mammograms Accessed: 10 January 2023
  5. Mammography: Benefits, Risks, What You Need To Know – Important Things To Know About Mammograms. Last Updated: 27 July 2022. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/screening-testing/mammograms/benefits-risks Accessed: 10 January 2023
  6. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: Breast Cancer Screening – Mammography Is the Most Common Screening Test for Breast Cancer [+ Images]. Updated: 06 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-screening-pdq#_13 Accessed: 10 January 2023
  7. Mammography: Summary. Last Updated on: 03 December 2021. MedlinePlus https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mammography.html Accessed: 10 January 2023
  8. Breast Cancer: What Is Breast Cancer Screening? Last Reviewed: 26 September 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm Accessed: 10 January 2023
  9. Breast Checks: Mammograms – Breast Implants. Last Updated: 17 August 2021 |  Last Reviewed 30 October 2018. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health http://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/breast-health/breast-checks/ Accessed: 10 January 2023
  10. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: Breast Cancer Screening – Other Screening Tests Have Been or Are Being Studies In Clinical Trials: Breast Exams. Updated: 06 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-screening-pdq#section/_13 Accessed: 10 January 2023
  11. Breast Cancer Screening (PDQ)–Patient Version: Breast Cancer Screening – Other Screening Tests Have Been or Are Being Studies In Clinical Trials: Breast Exams. Updated: 06 October 2022. National Cancer Institute https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-screening-pdq#section/_13 Accessed: 10 January 2023
  12. National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP): Find A Screening Program Near You. Page Last Reviewed: 11 August 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm Accessed: 10 January 2023
  13. Mammograms: Why Should I Have One? Content Current As of: 29 May 2019. Food and Drug Administration https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/ucm118546.htm Accessed: 10 January 2023
  14. Diagnosing Breast Conditions: Participation In the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). Updated Date: April 2021. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/diagnosing-breast-conditions/ Accessed: 10 January 2023
Topic Last Updated: 10 January 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 10 January 2023

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