According to the CDC, Breast cancer remains the most common form of non-skin-related cancer in women and one of the leading causes of women’s cancer deaths.
Moreland OB-GYN wants you to take the appropriate precautions without undue worry. Read on for a breakdown of the current breast-cancer screening guidelines.
Breast self-awareness is crucial because often, breast cancer is detected and found by the patient during a self-exam. A patient detecting breast cancer during a self-exam happens in almost one-half of all cases of diagnosed breast cancer in women 50 years and older. Additionally, more than 70% of breast cancer cases are found by women younger than 50 years old while performing a self-exam.
While performing a self-exam is a good tool for preventative care for women, there are a few different breast exam recommendations for women’s breast health through all stages of life. The following are standard protocols for examining a woman’s breast health:
A woman’s ob-gyn or other healthcare provider may examine the breasts during routine checkups. This process is called a clinical breast exam. Providers may have patients lie down or remain sitting to complete the exam. The breasts will be checked for any changes in size or shape, puckers, dimples, or skin redness. The provider may also feel for any changes in each breast or under each arm.
The primary tool used to screen for breast cancer and other problems is called mammography. The images created through mammography are called a mammogram. These images are created by the x-ray technology of the mammography to view the breasts.
Mammography is done for two reasons:
A breast self-exam uses a combination of physical and visual examinations of the breasts to check for changes to the breasts. A breast self-exam aims to build self-awareness and become familiar with how your breasts typically look and feel. Breast self-awareness will help women identify changes or abnormalities in their breasts, such as a new lump or skin changes. While a breast self-exam is a valuable tool for early detection, it should never replace regular mammograms and clinical breast exams.
Please note these guidelines are for the woman of average breast-cancer risk, meaning:
Women at high-risk should get breast-cancer screenings earlier and more often, in addition to MRI tests in some cases. Your doctor can tell you what category you fall into and what set of guidelines you should follow.
Breast cancer can manifest with many different symptoms, so awareness of your own body is key. Possible symptoms of breast cancer can include:
Don’t be shy about getting a doctor involved. The healthcare providers of Moreland OB-GYN welcome all your questions and concerns. We want you to be well and worry-free.
Remember, no set of guidelines is perfect, and no screening is guaranteed. But by staying up-to-date with the latest information and keeping in touch with your OB-GYN doctor, you can have peace of mind that you have done everything you can for a healthy future.
Moreland OB-GYN Associates, S.C. is dedicated to the needs of our patients. At Moreland OB-GYN, we promote overall excellence in women’s health care. Our compassionate providers understand the difficulties that women face in their daily health, and we are here to listen and provide expert care.
For more information about breast self-examinations, request an appointment with Moreland OB-GYN.