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Breast Health & Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

Empowering Women with Knowledge & Care for a Healthier Tomorrow

Taking care of you is so important. As women, we juggle multiple roles-work, managing households, or being caregivers for children and older adults - often putting ourselves last. What better time to start taking care of yourself  than now. Here you will discover resources on women’s health and guidance on when to schedule essential screenings.  

 

Breast Cancer 

Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American women. Different factors can increase or decrease the risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer is a significant health concern and early detection can make a crucial difference in outcomes. The below content will focus on the importance of prevention and screening, exploring effective strategies to reduce risk and catch potential issues early. By staying informed and proactive, we can take vital steps toward better health and improved survival rates. We will cover a range of important topics around breast health, breast cancer and screenings. Let’s dive into the key practices and insights that can empower us all in this important effort. 

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Warning signs may include:

  • New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
  • Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
  • Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
  • Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
  • Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
  • Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
  • Pain in any area of the breast

Types of Breast Cancer

  • Invasive ductal carcinoma. The cancer cells begin in the ducts and then grow outside the ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. Invasive cancer cells can also spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma. Cancer cells begin in the lobules and then spread from the lobules to the breast tissues that are close by. These invasive cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.
  • There are several other less common kinds of breast cancer, such as Paget's disease, medullary, mucinous, and inflammatory breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Screenings

Screening is looking for signs of disease, such as breast cancer, before a person has symptoms. The goal of a screening test is to find cancer at an early stage when it can be treated and may be cured. Sometimes a screening test finds cancer that is very small or very slow growing. These cancers are unlikely to cause death or illness during the person's lifetime. 

Whether a woman should be screened for breast cancer and the screening test to use depends on certain factors.

 

Screening Recommendations

It is recommended women ages 45-54 should get a mammogram every year. Women 55 and older should get a mammogram every two years or they can choose to continue annual screening. If they wish, women ages 40-44 have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms. Screenings should continue as long as a woman is in good health or is expected to live 10 more years or longer. All women should be familiar with the how their breast normally look and feel—reporting any changes to their provider right away. 

 

Types of Screenings:

  • What is a breast self-exam?
    •  A breast self-exam is a step-by-step method you can use to examine your breasts. By looking at and feeling your breasts regularly, you can better notice changes in your breasts or detect when something feels different. Most healthcare providers agree that while mammograms are the best screening tool to detect breast abnormalities, a breast exam you can do at home is the best way for you to be familiar with your own breasts.
  • Should I do a breast self-exam?
    • Monthly breast self-exams can help you detect changes that may be signs of infection, breast disease or breast cancer. The goal of doing a breast self-exam is recognizing what’s normal for you. Knowing how your breasts typically look and feel can help you notice a change (if one were to occur).
    • Self-Exams are important for your breast health. But they should never replace breast exams from your provider and screening tests like mammograms. You should still see your primary care provider and/or gynecologist regularly for breast cancer screenings.
  • How often should I do a breast self-exam?
    • Most healthcare associations recommend performing a breast self-exam monthly. Despite it not being a reliable way to detect breast cancer, it’s still the most helpful thing you can do at home for your breast health.

  • What is a mammogram?
    • Mammograms can help with early detection. A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to look for changes that are not normal. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly into a computer for a doctor called a radiologist to examine.
  • What is the importance of a mammogram?
    • A mammogram is the best method to detect cancer. A mammogram allows the doctor to have a closer look for changes in breast tissue that cannot be felt during a breast exam. It is used for women who have no breast complaints and for women who have breast symptoms, such as a change in the shape or size of a breast, a lump, nipple discharge, or pain. Breast changes occur in almost all women. In fact, most of these changes are not cancer and are called "benign," but only a doctor can know for sure. Breast changes can also happen monthly, due to your menstrual period.
  • Tips for getting a mammogram
    • Try not to have your mammogram the week before you get your period or during your period. Your breasts may be tender or swollen then.
    • On the day of your mammogram, don't wear deodorant, perfume, or powder. These products can show up as white spots on the X-ray.
    • Some women prefer to wear a top with a skirt or pants, instead of a dress. You will need to undress from your waist up for the mammogram.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to screen women who have a high risk of breast cancer.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer. MRI makes detailed pictures of breast tissue. Your doctor can view these pictures on a monitor or print them on film. MRI may be used along with a mammogram.

An Ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create a picture of your breast. The pictures may show whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. Cysts are not cancer. But a solid mass may be cancer. After the test, your doctor can store the pictures on video or print them out. This exam may be used along with a mammogram.

A biopsy is a test in which fluid or tissue is removed from your breast to help find out if there is cancer. Your doctor may refer you to a surgeon or to a doctor who is an expert in breast disease for a biopsy.

Other screening tests have been or are being studied in clinical trials.

  • Thermography
  • Tissue sampling

Fibrocystic Breast Symptoms

Fibrocystic breasts are composed of tissue that feels lumpy or ropelike in texture. Doctors call this nodular or glandular breast tissue. Fibrocystic breast changes occur most often between 30 and 50 years of age. These changes happen rarely after menopause unless you're taking hormone replacement medicine such as estrogen or progesterone.

Signs and symptoms of fibrocystic breasts may include:

  • Breast lumps or areas of thickening that tend to blend into the surrounding breast tissue
  • Generalized breast pain or tenderness or discomfort that involves the upper outer part of the breast
  • Breast nodules or lumpy tissue change in size with the menstrual cycle
  • Green or dark brown non-bloody nipple discharge that tends to leak without pressure or squeezing
  • Breast changes that are similar in both breasts
  • Monthly increase in breast pain or lumpiness from midcycle (ovulation) to just before your period and then gets better once your period starts

Missouri Resources: Help and Support

  • Show Me Healthy Women (SMHW) - is Missouri's program that provides breast and cervical cancer screenings at no charge to eligible Missouri residents, women who are not residents of the state, and women who are not U.S. citizens. There are both age and income guidelines. 

 HSH25049 | SMHK25049

Approval Date: 9/12/2024