“At Mayo Clinic, doctors offer mammograms to women beginning at age 40 and continuing annually. When to begin mammogram screening and how often to repeat it is a personal decision based on your preferences.
Mayo Clinic recommends women and their doctors discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of mammograms and decide together what is best. Balancing the benefits of screening with the limitations and risks is a key part of deciding when to begin mammograms and how often to repeat them.
Not all organizations agree on breast cancer screening guidelines, but most emphasize working with your doctor to determine what’s right for your particular situation.
For instance, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force mammogram guidelines recommend women begin screening at age 50 and the American Cancer Society recommends women begin screening at age 45. But both of these organizations acknowledge that beginning screening at 40 may make sense for some women after considering the benefits and limitations of the test.”(1)
The American Cancer Society states:
- Women ages 40 to 44 should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
- Women age 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year.
- Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
- Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
- All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening. (2)
American Cancer Society screening recommendations for women at high risk
- Have a lifetime risk of breast cancer of about 20% to 25% or greater, according to risk assessment tools that are based mainly on family history (see below)
- Have a known BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation (based on having had genetic testing)
- Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or child) with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, and have not had genetic testing themselves
- Had radiation therapy to the chest when they were between the ages of 10 and 30 years
- Have Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Cowden syndrome, or Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, or have first-degree relatives with one of these syndromes
- Having a personal history of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), or atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH)
- Having “extremely” or “heterogeneously” dense breasts as seen on a mammogram
TIP: Do regular self- exams. That is how I found mine early! Something did not feel quite right. If you notice anything new and different, get it checked out. The sooner you catch it, the better. See the Helpful Links: Breast Self-Exam below, left for a few good instructionals on self-exams.
TIP: I have met a handful of women, including myself, that were diagnosed of having low Iron in blood results before learning of their cancer. And, we were put on Iron supplements. Beware that this could be a symptom or sign of cancer. Check with your physician and get a mammogram done regardless of your age. It seems that Iron can either cause cancer or feed existing cancer cells. The surgeon of one breast cancer patient I had met asked why her physician did not tell her to get a mammogram right away when her Iron levels were low. He said that cancer cells feed off of Iron, and can contribute to its growth or faster growth. Low Iron results could indicate that the cancer is eating the Iron up resulting in low Iron levels. Discuss this with your physician. My physician did not connect the dots either. Since breast cancer is so prevalent these days, it is better to be safe and get it checked out right away.
TIP: When getting a mammogram, ask if they have a 3D Mammogram machine. It may be beneficial. From the Mayo Clinic: “A 3D mammogram (breast tomosynthesis) is an imaging test that combines multiple breast X-rays to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast.
A 3D mammogram is used to look for breast cancer in people who have no signs or symptoms. It can also be used to investigate the cause of breast problems, such as a breast mass, pain and nipple discharge.
When used for breast cancer screening, 3D mammogram machines create 3D images and standard 2D mammogram images. Studies show that combining 3D mammograms with standard mammograms reduces the need for additional imaging and slightly increases the number of cancers detected during screening. But more study is needed to understand whether 3D mammograms may reduce the risk of dying of breast cancer more than a standard mammogram alone.” Source: Mayo Clinic
TIP: There are constant breakthroughs with new research and new imaging techniques. Ask your Oncologist or other specialists what is available to you. Seek out cancer centers and cancer research centers/universities for more information.
As of this writing (2019), the below list are new and experimental imaging techniques offered:
- A newer type of mammogram is known as breast tomosynthesis or 3D mammography.
- Optical imaging tests pass light into the breast and then measure the light that returns or passes through the tissue.
- Molecular breast imaging (MBI) is a newer nuclear medicine imaging test for the breast.
- Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) is a newer imaging test of the breast.
- Electrical impedance imaging (EIT) scans the breast for electrical conductivity.
- Elastography is a test that can be done as part of an ultrasound exam.
For more details, see Newer and Experimental Breast Imaging Tests from the American Cancer Society.
Helpful Links
Mammograms
(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/expert-answers/mammogram-guidelines/faq-20057759
https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/guide-mammogram-testing#1
https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/BreastCancerScreeningforWomenatAverageRisk.html
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/mammograms
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/screening.htm
(2) https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/cancer-screening-guidelines/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html
(3) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/american-cancer-society-recommendations-for-the-early-detection-of-breast-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet/
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm
https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/special-coverage/american-cancer-society-breast-cancer-screening-guidelines.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/experimental-breast-imaging.html
3D Mammograms
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/3d-mammogram/about/pac-20438708
https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20140624/3d-mammograms-may-improve-breast-cancer-screening#1
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/benefits-of-3d-mammograms-last-over-time
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/experimental-breast-imaging.html
Mammograms After Breast Cancer
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/mammograms/having-a-mammogram-after-youve-had-breast-cancer-surgery.html
https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/20100513
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/mammograms/after_surgery
https://www.health.harvard.edu/screening-tests-for-women/should-you-still-have-mammograms-after-age-75https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/special-coverage/american-cancer-society-breast-cancer-screening-guidelines.html
Breast Self-Exam
https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/self_exam
https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/breast-self-exam#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/about/pac-20393237
www.candrol.com/breast-cancer-self-examination/ (nice details here)