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A new MedStar Health national survey found that the majority of women aged 40 and older are not getting their yearly mammogram, as recommended by the American College of Radiology. Mammograms are critical to detecting breast cancer early, before a lump or mass can be felt. In early stages, breast cancer is very treatable and even curable. However, skipping or delaying a breast cancer screening increases the risk that breast cancer has time to advance and become potentially life-threatening.
Given that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, it’s important to spread awareness of mammogram recommendations, which have changed slightly in recent years. Understanding your personal risk factors will help you to plan when to schedule your first and subsequent mammograms, empowering you to stay on top of your health.
Women with an average risk of breast cancer should get mammograms every year, starting at age 40.
Within the past few years, screening recommendations lowered the starting age of mammograms from 50 to 40. That means all women who have an average risk of developing breast cancer should get a mammogram every year starting at age 40. Mammography allows us to detect signs of breast cancer early when it is more easily treatable, making it the best way to catch the disease and potentially cure it. 3D mammography is the established standard of care for early detection, allowing us to view breast tissue with exceptional resolution so we can identify even the most subtle findings. While a mammogram may not be a relaxing experience, ten minutes of discomfort is more tolerable than some of the possible side effects of cancer treatments.
Don’t skip your mammogram even if you “feel normal” or received normal results in the past.
Even if you’ve had a mammogram with normal results in the past, it’s important to continue getting your mammogram every year after. As you get older, your risk of developing breast cancer increases. As a result, undergoing an annual mammogram is especially important as women age.
Additionally, some women might think that because they don’t feel a hard lump or have any other symptoms of breast cancer, they’re healthy. Unfortunately, women with early stages of breast cancer don’t often experience signs of the disease, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Once symptoms appear, breast cancer has likely advanced or spread, which means it will be more difficult to treat. That’s why it’s important to get yearly screening mammograms before you notice any symptoms or changes to your breast. Of course, if you do notice something unusual, talk to your doctor.
Most breast cancers occur in women with no family history.
According to our national survey, 18 percent of women said they skip their mammograms because they don’t have any family members with breast cancer. Unfortunately, genetics aren’t always a good predictor of health. More than 80 percent of breast cancers occur in women with no family history of breast cancer. In the majority of patients, there is no attributable cause whatsoever.
Because breast cancer is not always preventable, an annual mammogram is one of the most important ways you can take control of your health, even if you have no immediate family members with a history of the disease.
But, those with a family history of breast cancer should consider genetic counseling.
While most breast cancers occur in women who have no family history, approximately ten percent of breast cancer is inherited. If you do have a family history of breast cancer, a genetic counselor can help you understand your hereditary risk factors for developing the disease. Genetic counseling involves a thorough review of your medical and family history, including prevalence of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, or ovarian cancer, which are all linked to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. These are the most common causes of inherited breast cancer, although there are other high risk genes as well.
Genetic testing can be done through blood or saliva samples, and you can expect results in about two to three weeks. Your genetic counselor will review your results with you, reassessing your risk and developing a personalized medical management plan, in collaboration with any necessary specialists. Cancer genetics are changing all the time. If you’ve had genetic testing done in the past, it may be helpful to talk to a genetic counselor again to see if there’s any new information available today.
In addition to family history, other risk factors may warrant earlier mammograms and other preventative measures.
While women with an average risk should begin and continue mammograms at 40, your personal risk factors may impact the age you begin screening mammograms. The American College of Radiology recommends that all women get a breast health risk assessment by the age of 30 to understand their lifetime breast cancer risk. You can work with your primary care provider to understand your lifetime risk, or search for risk calculators online, such as the Tyrer-Cusick Model Breast Cancer Risk Assessment.
These risk assessments analyze factors that can increase your chances of developing breast cancer based on:
- Your age
- Smoking history
- Whether or not you have dense breasts, which can make it harder to detect early signs
- Your family history of breast cancer or other related cancers
- Your reproductive history
- And more
If your calculated risk of breast cancer is 20 percent or higher, your doctor will provide personalized recommendations for lowering your risk. For some, this could include beginning mammograms before 40 or using other imaging tools to screen, such as ultrasound or MRI. Other women with a significant risk of breast cancer may weigh the pros and cons of preventative surgery. Knowing your risk equips you to make decisions that could help to reduce your odds of cancer or catch it when it can be more easily treated.
Other tips for lowering your breast cancer risk.
You can’t always prevent breast cancer, but you may be able to lower your risk by exercising and maintaining a healthy body mass index (BMI). Avoiding alcohol can also help, as just two glasses a week can increase your risk. In addition, performing a self-exam monthly will ensure you’re familiar with what is normal for your body so you can quickly identify if something changes or feels abnormal. Finally, getting your annual mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer early and decrease mortality rates. Talk to your doctor today about when you should start screening, and remember to prioritize keeping your annual mammogram on the calendar.
