Deciding if breast cancer screening is right for you
What is screening for breast cancer
Screening is a method of looking for signs that someone has a disease. The screening methods mentioned in this article do not diagnose cancer. Instead, healthcare professionals use screenings to determine if more testing is needed. In the case of breast cancer, healthcare professionals use screening to determine if you need testing to determine if you have breast cancer.
Do you need to undergo screening for breast cancer?
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States. Screening for breast cancer can help to detect breast cancer before you develop symptoms. Early detection and treatment for breast cancer can decrease the chance of death. There also may be more treatment options if detected early.
Screening for breast cancer has benefits. However, there are also risks associated with breast cancer screening. Certain types of breast cancer screening may not be appropriate for everyone. Having an understanding of the risks and benefits of breast cancer screening can help you to make better decisions regarding your health.
Who should be screened for breast cancer?
Both age and risk of developing breast cancer may determine when you should get screened, and how often. Women should discuss possible risk factors, and the timing of screening with their doctor or healthcare provider.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is a group made up of experts in disease prevention and evidence-based medicine. This group makes recommendations on preventive services. The USPSTF recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer who are between the ages of 50-74 years old get a mammogram every two years. They also recommend that women who are 40-49 years old discuss when and how often to start getting a mammogram with their healthcare provider.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC), created a chart that compares recommendations for breast cancer screening from several organizations. This chart can also provide guidance on who should be screened for breast cancer, and how often.
Forms of screening:
Clinical exam
A doctor or nurse can perform a clinical exam. With this exam, the doctor or nurse uses their hands to feel for lumps or other changes to your breasts.
Self-exam
Be breast-aware. Knowing how your breasts look and feel may help you to notice things that may be of concern. Symptoms such as lumps, pain, or changes in size should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Performing a self-breast exam regularly can help you to notice these changes.
While clinical breast exams and self-exams can help you to notice changes in your breasts, both exams have not been shown to decrease the risk of dying from breast cancer.
Mammogram
A mammogram is a form of x-ray for the breast. A mammogram can detect breast cancer before you notice symptoms. This test can be the best way to detect breast cancer in most women.
How is a mammogram performed?
With a mammogram, you stand in front of a special low-dose x-ray machine. An x-ray technician will help to place your breasts on a plastic plate. Another plate will press down on your breast from above. These plates hold your breast in place while a picture is taken. The procedure is then repeated from the side.
Since pressure is being placed on your breast, mammography can feel uncomfortable. It is recommended that you do not have a mammogram a week before your period, and during your period as your breasts may be more sensitive during that time.
Breast MRI
If you have a high risk of getting breast cancer, you may also undergo a breast MRI. With this test, radio waves take pictures of the breast. A breast MRI is typically done along with a mammogram to screen women at high risk. A breast MRI can appear abnormal when there is no cancer. Therefore, this test is not used for women with an average risk of breast cancer.
What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
Risk factors for developing breast cancer include:
- Older age
- Family history of breast cancer
- A personal history of breast cancer
- Exposure to estrogen due to reproductive history
- Dense breast tissue
- Taking hormone replacement therapy for menopause
- Radiation therapy to the breast, or chest
- Obesity
- Drinking alcohol
While these factors may increase the risk of having breast cancer, it is important to note that having one or more of these factors means that you will develop breast cancer.
Beware the false positive
There are also risks with breast cancer screening. One of these risks includes a false positive. A false positive means that screening will show an abnormal result when you do not have cancer. An abnormal finding on a screening such as a mammogram can lead to more testing before a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, if the abnormal finding on the mammogram is not due to cancer, you may have undergone unnecessary testing. This may go without saying, but a false positive, and additional testing may also cause anxiety.
Where can I get screened for breast cancer?
Call your doctor or healthcare provider’s office. They can help you to schedule an appointment whether for a clinical exam, discussion of screening options, or a mammogram.
Does my health insurance cover breast cancer screening?
Many health insurance plans do cover mammograms for women over 40 every one to two years. Some insurance plans cover mammograms without any out-of-pocket costs such as a co-pay, deductible, or co-insurance.
If you are still worried about the costs of a mammogram, some groups such as the CDC, the National Cancer Institute, or the American Cancer Society can help you to find low-cost or free options.
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm
National Cancer Institute: 1-800-4-CANCER www.cancer.gov
American Cancer Society: 1-800-ACS-2345 www.cancer.org
Informed and shared decision making
Deciding when and how often to undergo screening for breast cancer is personal. This decision is best made when you understand your personal risks for breast cancer, as well as the risks and benefits of breast cancer screening. A doctor or another healthcare provider may help you make decisions regarding breast cancer screening.
Like what you read here? Contact me.