Breast cancer is a tumor that develops from any of the cell types within the breast. There are several types of breast cancer that differ in their originating cell type, invasiveness and aggressiveness. Breast-cancer screening is a preventive method that tests for the presence of cancer before any symptoms are present. Regular breast-cancer screening can identify women at risk for breast cancer and facilitate early detection of cancer to help improve prognosis.
Clinical Breast Exam
Clinical breast exams are designed to monitor the look and feel of your breast as a way to screen for the development of tumors or lumps within the breast. The test is performed during each routine gynecological exam.
The University of Florida outlines the basic procedure for a clinical breast exam: The doctor will check for any irregularities in the appearance of the breast and palpate each breast to check for any lumps. The doctor will also examine the lymph nodes around the breast to test for any lump and check for any discharge from the nipple. The doctor may wish to follow up with additional testing if she finds any irregularities.
The Baylor College of Medicine recommends that each woman also perform a monthly breast self-examination to test for any changes in the look and feel of the breast, to help detect cancer or growths early.
Mammogram
A mammogram is an imaging technique that will look for irregularities in breast tissue. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray test to image the breast. According to the University of Michigan, in some cases, a mammogram can detect tumors too small to be detected by a clinical breast exam. Alternatively, a mammogram can be used to more closely examine a lump found during a breast exam.
The University of Michigan recommends a mammogram once every one to two years for women older than 50, and that women begin getting mammograms starting at age 40. In women with a family history of breast cancer, regular mammograms may be recommended earlier.
Genetic Screening
Some women with a family history of breast cancer may wish to undergo genetic screening to assess their risk for breast cancer. Genetic testing can be done at any stage in life and involves analyzing a blood sample for cancerous mutations.
The University of Michigan recommends genetic testing for women with family members who developed breast cancer under age 50, and a family history of breast, ovarian or male breast cancers. The test looks for mutations to two genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2, which are linked to early onset breast cancer. If the test is positive, patients have a number of options to decrease their risk of developing cancer in the future, including regular mammograms starting at an early age.
