When to Schedule Your First Mammogram

How Common Is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in American women. It accounts for about 316,950 new cancer cases in women and 2,500 in men, exceeded only by skin cancers. One in eight women, or approximately 13%, will develop breast cancer at some point in their lifetimes.

Like all types of cancer, breast cancer is a progressive disease. This means its impact on the body becomes more severe the longer it goes untreated. It also becomes more difficult to treat. Several treatment options exist for cancer that is localized in the breast. In later breast cancer stages, however, cancer cells metastasize or spread to other parts of the body. Metastatic cancer is harder to eradicate and is also more likely to recur if a few mutated cells evade treatment.

The Importance of Early Cancer Detection

Because breast cancer gets worse over time, early detection is imperative. A person’s prognosis, or chances of successful treatment, are highest when treatment begins early. These are breast cancer survival statistics at each stage:

• Stage I: The tumor is small and located only in the breast and nearby lymph nodes. The five-year relative survival rate is 99%.
• Stage II: The tumor is slightly larger but still located only in the breast and nearby lymph nodes. The five-year relative survival rate is 93%.
• Stage III: The tumor is larger and may have spread to the skin, muscles, or several lymph nodes. The five-year relative survival rate is 86%.
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to other parts of the body beyond the breast. The five-year relative survival rate is 31.9%.

While the recovery rates for early-stage breast cancer are very good, they drop severely in later stages. This is why early detection is so important. The sooner breast cancer is identified, the earlier treatment can begin. The patient will have access to less-aggressive treatment methods that are more effective and cause fewer side effects, giving them the best chances for recovery.

What Is a Mammogram?

Mammograms are a medical technology used to detect breast cancer. Early-stage breast cancer does not always show symptoms. While some people may detect signs, such as a lump or changes in skin texture, many will not notice any difference until the cancer has progressed. This makes symptom-based detection difficult.

During a mammogram, the individual’s breast is gently compressed between two plates to evenly spread the tissue. A machine then directs low dosages of X-rays at the breast, creating an image. X-rays pass through soft tissue but are reflected by dense tissue. This makes the images useful for detecting signs of breast cancer, such as calcium deposits or areas of abnormal tissue.

Annual mammograms let physicians regularly check for breast cancer indicators. This makes it possible to detect breast cancer long before it creates symptoms or a noticeable lump. Treatment can begin much sooner, giving the patient a better chance for recovery.

When Should I Get a Mammogram?

Breast cancer risk rises as a person gets older. Nearly all breast cancer cases are diagnosed after age 40, with the median age of diagnosis being 62 for women and 67 for men. As a result, breast cancer screening becomes increasingly important with age.

Different organizations make different recommendations for starting routine mammograms. Like many others, RCCA follows breast cancer screening guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). This is an independent panel of disease prevention experts who suggest the best way to reduce cancer deaths based on the latest research. The USPSTF recommends the following:

• Average risk: Women of average risk should begin routine mammograms at age 40.
• Increased risk: Women of increased or high risk should consider starting mammograms earlier than 40, as recommended by their physician.
• Men: Because men are at low risk of developing breast cancer, routine screening is not recommended except for individuals at exceptionally high risk.

Once routine mammograms begin, the individual should receive one annually. Screening should continue as long as you are in good health with a life expectancy of at least 10 more years.

Who Should Start Mammograms Early?

Beginning mammograms at age 40 is recommended for women at average risk of breast cancer. Women with an elevated risk, however, may wish to begin routine screenings early. Speak with your physician about breast cancer risks if you have any of the following breast cancer risk factors:

• Mutations with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
• Previous breast cancer diagnosis
• Family history of breast cancer
• Dense breasts
• Getting pregnant early or after age 30
• Never having carried a pregnancy to term or breastfed
• Taking diethylstilbestrol (DES) or having a mother who took it
• Taking certain hormonal medications
• Previous radiation therapy
• Smoking
• Exposure to industrial chemicals
• Drinking excessive alcohol
• Eating a poor diet
• Being overweight

These factors do not guarantee that a person will develop breast cancer. They may, however, increase a person’s risk of cancer. If any of these are true for you, speak with your primary care physician about your cancer risk. If you are experiencing symptoms of breast cancer, you should schedule a diagnostic mammogram. This is true even for women following a routine screening schedule.

Confirming Mammogram Results

Most mammograms do not reveal any abnormalities. You can go home and return to normal life with the peace of mind that you do not have breast cancer.

If a mammogram does reveal an abnormality, further tests may be required. Most breast abnormalities are caused by other conditions, such as a cyst or non-cancerous tumor. Additional tests will help physicians confirm a diagnosis. If it is breast cancer, then these tests will also help them understand the patient’s unique case and plan a personalized treatment plan.

Ultrasound

An ultrasound is a medical imaging technology that uses sound waves. Instead of taking an image of the full breast, ultrasound is often used for more focused and detailed images. This allows technologists to look closely at any abnormalities for a detailed analysis.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another imaging technology that uses radio waves and strong magnets. It is often used to determine a cancer tumor’s exact location or to look for other tumors in the breast after one is found.

Biopsy

A breast biopsy is the final test to diagnose breast cancer. It involves removing a small amount of tissue from the abnormality to be studied under a microscope. Biopsy results will confirm whether the mass is cancerous and whether targeted therapies will be effective.

Find Outstanding Breast Cancer Care at RCCA

Early detection is the first line of defense against breast cancer. By understanding when you should get a mammogram, you can make proactive choices about your health.

Those with breast cancer often turn to Regional Cancer Care Associates for care. RCCA provides care to more than 30,000 new patients and 265,000 established patients each year. RCCA physicians offer patients innovative therapies, including immunotherapies and targeted therapy, cutting-edge diagnostics as well as access to approximately 300 clinical trials in community-based centers close to home.