A Complete Breast Cancer Check

Ladies, a complete breast cancer check includes more than just a mammogram!  Yes, it’s very important to have regularly scheduled mammograms but don’t rely on that test alone.  Other detection methods should also be used.

For proper breast care, you should be performing regular breast self exams and getting breast exams from a doctor.  In addition, you may also require extra screening, including a digital mammogram.

Mammograms are generally given starting around age 40, but it is common for women to develop cancer before that age.  Because breast cancer tends to spread faster in younger women, it’s important to perform regular breast self exams and get breast exams from a medical professional well before the age of 40.  

Most breast health issues are first discovered through breast self exams, not mammograms.  This is because they can be done more often.  Because you get to know what your breasts are supposed to look and feel like, you can notice changes more readily and you can catch problems sooner. 

You should start doing self exams around age 18 and continue performing them the week after your period every month.  The more often you do them, the more likely you’ll be to detect a problem.  The first step in a BSE is to look at your breasts in the mirror.  Look for dimpling of the skin, changes in color and texture of the skin, changes in the nipple, and any secretions.  You should then feel your breasts, looking for lumps that appear and don’t disappear, or that grow and change with time.

While doing a monthly breast exam will help you know your own body better, you’re still not a medical professional.  You should have an exam by a doctor starting around age 18 or 20 and every 2 to 3 years after that.  This helps ensure a more complete breast cancer check.

A convenient time to have a breast exam is with your annual pap smear.  Many doctors perform a breast exam when you come in for your pelvic.  This is a great way to ensure you’re getting checked early and often.  It’s also a good time to ask questions about self exams or general breast health.

In addition to these traditional methods, a new technology, called the digital mammogram, is now being used as another weapon in the fight against breast cancer.  The methods used in taking a digital mammogram are essentially the same, except that the results can be viewed immediately instead of having to wait for film to develop.  This is often used in finding the specific spot of a growth so that a biopsy can be taken.  Faster results mean that the procedure can be done more quickly and with less pain or discomfort.

Remember, for a more complete breast cancer check you need to do monthly self exams and have regular breast exams in conjunction with regularly scheduled mammograms. 

Additional resources about getting a complete breast cancer check: