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Screening for Breast Cancer

The Capital Breast Care Center offers mammograms...

American Cancer Society Recommendations:

Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every year, and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health.

Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular health exam by a health professional preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health professional every year.

Women at increased risk (due to family history, past breast cancer, etc.) should talk with their doctor about the benefits and limitations of starting mammograms when they are younger, having additional tests (such as an ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams. Women should discuss with their doctor what approaches are best for them.

Breast self examinations (BSE) are another way that women can become aware of what is normal for their breasts.  BSE should be done 10 days after one’s menstrual period.  Using the pads of your fingers breasts should be examined while standing, and lying down. 

By doing the exam regularly you get to know how your breasts normally feel and you can more readily detect any signs or symptoms. If a change occurs, such as a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or retraction (turning inward), redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, a discharge other than breast milk, or a change in the size of one breast, you should see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible for evaluation. Remember that most of the time these breast changes are not cancer.

The American Cancer Society believes the use of regular mammograms, clinical breast exams, and women’s awareness about changes in their breasts are important parts of every woman’s breast health plan, and are the best approach to detecting breast cancer early, when treatment is most successful and when the range of treatment options is greatest. This combined approach is clearly better than any one test. Without question, breast physical exam without mammograms would miss many breast cancers that are too small for a woman or her doctor to feel but can be seen on mammograms. Although a mammogram is the most sensitive screening method, a small percentage of breast cancers do not show up on mammograms but can be felt by a woman or her doctors.

Learn about mammograms
Learn about other imaging tests for breast cancer