Breast Cancer Awareness: Breast Cancer Screening Options

Type of Screening Test

Who should have it?

How often?

Self Breast Exam

All women beginning by the age of 20. This includes women who are:

- Pregnant

- Breast-feeding

- Have breast implants

- Have gone through menopause.

Monthly

It's best to check about a week after your period, when breasts are not swollen or tender. If you no longer have a period, examine your breasts on the same day every month. 

Self exams are performed to detect changes that could lead to breast cancer. These exams help you to learn what is normal for your breast tissue.

(Most breast changes are not cancer; however, you should speak with your physician regarding any changes)

Clinical Breast Exam

All women should have this exam as part of their routine exam.

Women in their 20's and 30's should have a breast exam once every three years. 

Starting at the age of 40, women should have one every year.

Your physician examines your breasts.  Physicians are trained to look for subtle signs and changes. 

Mammogram

Generally, all women starting at age 40; women who are at high risk may need to start earlier.

For women at low to average risk - once a year.

 High risk women may need to have them more often based on their physician's recommendations.

An x-ray of the breast, using a special low radiation camera. The image is printed on film.

Digital Mammogram

They are more effective for women who have dense breast tissue.

For women at low to average risk - once a year.

High risk women may need to have them more often based on their physician's recommendations.

An x-ray of your breast, using a special low radiation camera.  Rather than the standard film, an electronic image is seen on a computer. Takes many more pictures than the standard mammogram.  The computer screen can be adjusted for better clarity and view of your breast.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound test may be used to take a closer look at areas of your breast that your physician still has questions after clinical breast exam and mammogram. 

Recommended by your physician or by your radiologist.

Uses high frequency sound waves that are transmitted through breast tissue from a hand-held unit called a transducer. These sound waves bounce off breast tissues. The "echoes" created as a result is then recorded by a computer that makes a computerized image of the breast tissue.

Genetic Testing

Women with two or more close family members who have had breast cancer (parents, siblings or children), or those that meet specific guidelines determined by their physician.

Only once.  Recommended by your physician.

A blood test to analyze the DNA for genetic mutation. A gene mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up the gene.

MRI

Women at high risk:

-          BRCA1 or BRAC2 mutation carriers 

-          Over 20% lifetime risk for breast cancer based on family history

-          History of chest radiation

-          Li-fraumeni syndrome or TP53 gene mutation

-          An ATM, CHEK2 or PALB2 gene mutation

Recommended once a year beginning at age 30, along with a mammogram

Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to image organs and structures inside the body.  More details & offers better sensitivity*

*when compared to traditional mammograms and ultrasound

PET/CT

Women who have a diagnosis of breast cancer with positive axillary nodes.

Recommended by your physician

PET CT scanning is an entire body scan.  PET CT is used to determine if disease has moved beyond the breast area.