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Dr. Marla
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The benefits of
breast screening
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 reast cancer is the most common female cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women. According to research, regular screening in women aged 50-69 can reduce deaths from breast cancer by 30%. Whatever your age, earlier detection means earlier treatment.
Screening options
Mammograms: low dose x-rays that offer images of the breast. Screening mammography coupled with a clinical breast exam by a health care professional are the most reliable methods of finding breast cancer.
Self-examination: While women have heard there is no evidence that self breast exam decreases mortality, it seems counterintuitive. I tell my patients, “Know what your breasts feel like and report any persisting changes.”
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radio frequency fields. Use is restricted to women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer. For women who carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, the guidelines for screening are different based on their increased risk.
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False results
There is the risk of a false positive with all regular screening; a test that suggests cancer is present but further investigation shows it’s not. False positives result in anxiety and additional unnecessary testing. This is more common in younger women, and why women under 50 should discuss getting a mammogram with their health care practitioner. A false negative means an existing cancer is not detected. Unfortunately, no screening test is 100% accurate.
The bottom line: breast awareness is critical. Know how your breasts normally look and feel, and discuss a personal screening protocol with your health care provider. H&L
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