Q&A: Breast Cancer Specialist Answers Mammograms and Self Breast Exams Questions
According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. However, when found in its earliest stages, breast cancer can be stopped from spreading, is more treatable and nearly 100% curable. Screening is the best way to find breast cancer early. Let’s talk about mammograms as well as the right way to perform a self breast exam.
Mammograms
When should I start getting mammograms?
Unless you have a new breast problem or need to start screenings earlier because of risk, most guidelines recommend starting screening mammography at age 40.
How often should I get a mammogram?
Guidelines differ somewhat but are consistent that if you are of average risk, you should have them at least every other year. If you are at increased risk, including having dense breast tissue or a family history of breast cancer, it is recommended that you get an annual mammography screening and possibly enhanced screenings with MRI, ultrasound or contrast enhanced mammography.
Is getting a mammogram dangerous to my health?
While there is a small radiation exposure with every mammogram, the benefit of early detection of small, curable cancers almost always outweighs that risk of exposure.
Does it hurt to get a mammogram?
Some women do find mammograms uncomfortable. This is more common when having imaging just before your menstrual period when breast tissue can be swollen and more sensitive. If you do have extra sensitivity, scheduling the exam after your cycle starts or taking an over-the-counter NSAID pain reliever* a few hours before the exam may minimize the discomfort. Because positioning of the breast and taking each mammogram image is typically less than 30 seconds, the extent of discomfort during the exam is short-lived.
*NSAIDs are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and aspirin.
Breast self-exam options
Any pattern for feeling all of your breast tissue is acceptable. The goal is to make sure you are feeling with varying pressure from your collar bone to cleavage, to the bottom of the breast out to past where your breast meets your chest wall, including your armpit.
How often should I do a breast self-exam?
Self-exams should not be done too often because it can make it difficult to tell if a lump is evolving over time. Think of how hard it is to tell if your appearance changes gradually as you get older because you see yourself every day, compared to more easily seeing changes in someone’s appearance after not seeing them for a long time. Typically, once a month is enough.
Is there a best time to do a breast self-exam?
It is important to do your breast self-exam in approximately the same time in your cycle rather than a specific interval—especially since not all menstrual cycles are exactly 28 days apart. Doing the exam at the same place in your cycle will give you consistency in how the tissue should feel in terms of lumpiness, texture and density.
I encourage my patients to do their exam the day after their cycle starts as a consistent point in their hormonal cycle fluctuations.
What am I actually looking for during a breast self-exam?
Your breast self-exam should be a tool to familiarize yourself with the general “normal texture” of the tissue in each of your breasts so if you detect something that is different, you will be able to identify it as new or changed.
Can a breast self-exam replace a mammogram?
Self-breast exams cannot replace mammograms because mammograms can detect subtle changes like densities or calcifications that are too small to feel. The goal with screening mammograms is to detect breast cancer before you can feel it because early detection leads to better overall outcomes.
Learn more about breast cancer screening and treatment at Wellstar.
