| Many women wonder at what age they should start | | | | The most well-known is the mammogram. A |
| screening for breast cancer, and what types of | | | | mammogram is simply an x-ray of the breast. |
| breast cancer screening are the most efficient and | | | | Doctors recommend regular annual mammograms for |
| effective. Unfortunately there are no easy answers | | | | post-menopausal women and those who are at high |
| to these questions, but medical professionals do | | | | risk. The mammogram is less effective for younger |
| agree on certain guidelines that all women should | | | | women, who tend to have more dense breast tissue. |
| know. | | | | The success of the mammogram in detecting breast |
| Screening for cancer means looking for cancer | | | | cancer may also depend on the size of the tumor. |
| before the patient shows any symptoms. Because | | | | Other tests for breast cancer screening are gaining |
| early detection can be crucial to cancer survival, | | | | favor among radiologists, particularly the ultrasound |
| especially breast cancer survival, breast cancer | | | | and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Clinical trials |
| screening really does save lives. | | | | have shown MRI breast scans to be more sensitive |
| Most women should begin regular breast cancer | | | | than mammogram images. They can therefore |
| screening around age 45. The hormonal changes | | | | detect smaller tumors which are often hidden on a |
| associated with menopause greatly increase breast | | | | mammogram image. Ultrasound screening can also |
| cancer risk. Women over age 45 who have not | | | | detect very small calcifications which might not show |
| started regular screening should speak to their doctor | | | | up on a mammogram image. |
| immediately about how to get started. | | | | Ultrasound is also useful for differentiating between |
| Some women with special risk factors will need to | | | | solid tumors and fluid-filled cysts. Although neither |
| start breast cancer screening much earlier. The most | | | | ultrasound nor MRI are typically employed for regular, |
| severe risk factor is previous incidence of breast | | | | annual breast cancer screening, they can be very |
| cancer. Other risk factors include family history of | | | | useful for women who are at particularly high risk, |
| breast cancer, being overweight or obese, having | | | | and also as a supplement to regular mammography. |
| your first child at an older age (older than 35), and | | | | As medical technology improves, early detection of |
| having your first menstruation at an early age | | | | dangerous tumors continues to improve. With new |
| (before age 12). | | | | advances in breast cancer screening, survival rates |
| Women who think they may be at increased risk of | | | | continue to increase. If you are unsure about |
| developing breast cancer should consult with their | | | | whether to begin screening or how you should start, |
| doctors about deciding when to begin breast cancer | | | | don’t hesitate to bring the subject up with your |
| screening. | | | | doctor. Early detection is the only cure we have. |
| Different tests are used to screen for breast cancer. | | | | |