Experts say the best way to detect breast cancer early is through regular screening mammograms and being aware of changes in your breasts.
If you notice new lumps, pain, discharge, or skin changes, contact your health care provider to see if you need additional screening or treatment.
Always follow your provider’s recommendations for screening mammograms, which are the gold standard for detecting cancer early when it is easier to treat.
Instead of focusing on a monthly self-exam, patients are encouraged to be aware of changes in their breasts and get regular screening mammograms as recommended by their provider.
Ashley Hendrix, MD, FACS, a breast surgical oncologist with Regional One Health Cancer Care, said there’s good reason for this.
“Self-exams can lead to stressful false alarms and potentially unnecessary biopsies, but more importantly they aren’t enough,” Dr. Hendrix said. “A lump felt on a self-exam is often already the size of a walnut. That’s why getting annual imaging screening based on your provider’s recommendations are essential – they spot tumors while they’re still small and easier to treat.”
While mammography is the gold standard, Dr. Hendrix said paying attention to your body is also important. It helps you notice changes and seek care promptly.
The idea is to know what’s normal for you and recognize when something seems different.
“You aren’t powerless against breast cancer! By following through on your mammograms and talking to your provider about changes in your breasts, you can protect your health,” says Dr. Ashley Hendrix, a breast surgical oncologist at Regional One Health Cancer Care.
Things to watch for include a lump or thick area in the breast or underarm, changes in breast size or shape, nipple changes including inversion and discharge, and persistent pain in one spot. Also keep an eye on your skin – dimpling, puckering, redness, or scaling can signal a problem.
What should you do if you notice changes?
“First of all, please don’t panic. Most of the time, it isn’t cancer,” Dr. Hendrix said. “However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Contact your provider so we can evaluate your symptoms and guide you through your next steps.”
Your provider might order a diagnostic mammogram. This focuses on the area of concern and provides more detailed images than a screening mammogram.
Some patients may also need a breast ultrasound or MRI.
A breast ultrasound can determine if your lump is solid and potentially a cause for concern, or a harmless fluid-filled cyst. Breast MRI creates a more detailed image of the breast or area of concern, but is not necessarily better than mammogram or ultrasound.
If imaging shows something suspicious, a biopsy is the only way to confirm whether it’s cancer.
Before a biopsy, you’ll need to avoid certain medicines, like blood thinners, for a short time.
During the biopsy, the area is numbed. You may feel pressure, but no pain, as your doctor uses a needle or small incision to take a tiny tissue sample. The test usually takes less than an hour, and you go home the same day. Results are usually ready in a few days.
Screening mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer early, when it is more treatable. Average-risk women should have a yearly screening mammogram starting at age 40.
“If a patient is diagnosed with cancer, we offer a full range of medical and surgical oncology treatments and develop treatment plans based on the biology of your tumor and your personal goals,” Dr. Hendrix said. “Remember, 99% of patients with breast cancers isolated to the breast are alive at five years.”
The key is catching breast cancer early, and the best way to do that is through regular screening and being alert to changes in your body.
“You aren’t powerless against breast cancer! By following through on your mammograms and talking to your provider about changes in your breasts, you can protect your health,” Dr. Hendrix said.