Breast Cancer Screening - Every Year, Every Month...

Breast cancer screening is defined as early detection and prompt treatment. Conventional screening includes physical examination by a physician, a screening mammogram and breast self-examination (BSE).

At age 40 and over you need a screening mammogram every year and a breast exam by a physician, every year as well. Every month, when your period is over, do the BSE and report any unusual findings to your doctor right away. No excuses. No procrastination. Simply realize how important it is.

On a beautiful, sunny Mother’s Day, I signed up for my first Breast Cancer Awareness run and walk-a-thon. I proudly put on my new pink t-shirt. On the front was emblazoned: Walk. Run. Empower. On the back: Y-Me Race against Breast Cancer – Mother’s Day, and the names and logo’s of 28 sponsor’s.

When my group of friends arrived at the meeting place, I looked around and was awe-struck. We were surrounded by at least a thousand people of all ages, colors, ethnic backgrounds, babies in stroller’s and dogs. Everyone was cheerful and chatting as if we were family.

I soon noticed the large numbers of people, whose t-shirts were emblazoned with photos of a loved one who lost the battle against breast cancer. Others were carrying posters with photos of loved one’s as well. Most were printed with the years of birth and death.

It was awesome. I’ve never felt such camaraderie.

Methods of Breast Cancer Screening

A breast screening mammogram is a special x-ray picture of the breast. Women only receive a minimal amount of radiation during the procedure. With the newer techniques that are available, a large percentage of the cancer is detected when the tumors are 2 centimeters (about 1 inch) or smaller.

Two x-rays are taken of each breast during mammography, one from above and one from the side. A specially trained physician called a radiologist reads the mammogram to see if any suspicious areas exist.

Routine mammogram breast cancer screening appears to reduce breast cancer mortality by approximately 25%.

It is important to be tested by the same facility every year to enable the radiologist to compare all previous x-rays to detect any changes. If this is not possible, try to obtain the x-ray from your most recent mammogram and bring it with you to the new facility.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or mammography technician to teach you the proper method. Another way to learn is to observe how your physician does it. Ask her/him to explain the method and what they are searching for exactly. They can demonstrate and let you feel certain areas that may feel like a lump but are not.

An example is fibrocysts which are benign lumps. Remember, most breast lumps are not cancer, but only a physician can make a proper diagnosis. A true breast cancer lump may feel like a small, hard, round rock during your monthly breast cancer screening BSE.

When was your last breast cancer screening mammogram, physical exam by a doctor and self-exam?

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