Detecting Breast Cancer in Early Stage1, 2

Early identification of symptoms helps better therapeutic management of breast cancer

  • Screening refers to tests and exams used to find a disease in people who don’t have any symptoms
  • Early detection means finding and diagnosing a disease earlier than if you’d waited for symptoms to start

Breast Cancer Screening Tests/Exams:

Mammogram

It is an X-ray of the breast. Having regular mammograms can help in the early detection of breast cancer.

Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

A breast MRI is used along with mammograms to screen women who are at high risk for getting breast cancer. It uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast

Clinical Breast Exam

A clinical breast exam is done by a doctor or nurse. The health care professional uses his or her hands to feel for lumps or other changes

Breast Self exam

This includes noticing any changes in the look and feel of your breasts and can be done by yourself. If you notice any symptoms such as lumps, pain, or changes in size that may be of concern, you should report them to your doctor

Screening recommendations

Women between the ages of 50 to 74 should get a mammogram every two years

Women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their health care professional about when to start and how often to get a mammogram

    References
  1. American Cancer Society Recommendations for the Early Detection of Breast Cancer Available at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html Accessed on 28 July 2021
  2. What Is Breast Cancer Screening? Available at https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm Accessed on 28 July 2021