It’s normal to be anxious and worried if you find a lump. Sometimes, the lumpiness may be due to menstrual changes. It is important to contact your doctor right away. Remember that not all breast lumps are cancerous. Most breast lumps are benign. Describe any breast symptoms and problems to the technologist and radiologist performing the exam.

At Mammocare™, we will perform a dedicated complete diagnostic mammogram with tomosynthesis and breast ultrasound and perform additional testing, including biopsies if required, as needed to address your concern.

Mammography is the best test we have at this time to detect breast cancer in its early stages, but it is not perfect. About 10% of cancers do not have any clear symptoms, it is still important for women to have their breasts examined on a regular basis by a healthcare professional.

Being familiar with how your breasts look and feel is important so you can alert your doctor if there are any changes; this is called breast self-awareness. Many experts now say that women should focus on breast self-awareness instead of doing a breast self-examination (BSE).

Breast self-awareness isn’t about following a specific schedule. It is knowing what is normal for your breasts so you notice even the smallest changes right away.

Make sure to inform your doctor if you find any changes in your breasts that concern you. These changes may include:

• A lump in the breast
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, especially a bloody discharge
• Swelling or change in size or shape
• Skin irritation, such as redness, thickening, or dimpling of the skin
• Swollen lymph nodes in the armpit
• Nipple problems, such as pain or redness

A woman has a 1 in 8 chance of developing breast cancer over her lifetime. Women who have one or more first-degree relatives (mother/father, sister/brother, or daughter/son) diagnosed with breast cancer are at higher risk of developing cancer.

Women who are considered at a higher risk may need to begin mammography earlier, such as in these instances:

• Women with strong family history:
  • First-degree relatives diagnosed with breast cancer especially at pre-menopausal ages (i.e., parent, sibling or child)
  • Parent or family member with one of the breast cancer genes (BRCA 1 or BRCA 2)
• Women with a past history of receiving radiation to the chest between the age of 10 and 30 years.

The age of your relative(s) at diagnosis can guide decision-making regarding when you begin screening mammography. For example, if your mother was diagnosed in her 30s, your first mammogram would most likely be recommended earlier than age 40.

Known genetic predisposition is found in about 5-10% of breast cancers, with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation being the most widely recognized. The lifetime risk for breast cancer is 50-85% among BRCA1 carriers and approximately 45% among BRCA2 carriers.

Women with strong family histories are at a higher risk. The number of family members with breast cancer, especially first-degree relatives, and their age at diagnosis are important considerations.

If your breast cancer risk is higher than average, talk to your doctor about a more aggressive breast cancer screening plan that is specific to your particular situation. Your plan may include breast MRI.