Can we detect breast cancer early? (Breast Cancer Screenings) Everything about!

Have you ever thought that there are ways to detect breast cancer early? Yes, that's what we call breast cancer screenings . This is really important, because sometimes these tests can detect cancer before you have any symptoms. Then it's much easier to treat.

What are Breast Cancer Screenings?

Simply put, these tests are methods to check if you have cancer in your breasts. These alone cannot tell 100% whether you have cancer , but they are the first step. A doctor usually does one or more of these tests, and then does other tests as needed, to determine whether cancer is present.

Studies have consistently shown that these tests can save many lives . So it's important to talk to your doctor about when you should start these tests and what type of test is right for you.

What are the types of tests available to detect breast cancer?

There are several types of tests that can be used to detect breast cancer. Each one works a little differently. Doctors usually combine two or three of these to make a diagnosis of cancer. The images from these tests are analyzed by a radiologist.

What is a mammogram?

This is the gold standard for breast cancer detection . It's the most common. It involves using a special X-ray machine to take a picture of the tissue inside your breast. Your breast is placed between two flat plates, and the plates are pressed together to flatten it. Yes, I know, some people may find this a little uncomfortable, but the benefits of this are far greater than that.

Mammograms are usually available in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) or (Breast Tomosynthesis) formats. 3D mammograms often provide clearer, more detailed images. However, this technology may not be available everywhere.

Breast Ultrasound Test

Ultrasound is another tool used to look inside your breasts. A doctor may order this if they see something unusual on a mammogram or during a breast exam. This involves moving a small, handheld device over your breast, or scanning your entire breast with a larger ultrasound machine. The device sends sound waves through the breast tissue and converts them back into images that the doctor can view on a screen.

Breast MRI (Breast MRI) test

A breast MRI is another test that uses magnets and radio waves to make clear pictures of the inside of your breast. A doctor uses it in conjunction with other tests to help detect cancer, especially if you are at high risk for cancer or if a mammogram shows abnormal results.

Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI)

(MBI) is a test that uses a radioactive tracer and a special gamma camera to specifically highlight cancer cells in your breast tissue. This "lights up" or illuminates areas where cells are growing irregularly and out of control. This is especially useful if you have dense breasts.

What is Thermography?

This is an imaging test that uses an infrared camera to identify hot areas of the skin. Hot areas will appear as red or orange in your test results.

Other breast exams

Being aware of how your breasts look and feel is also a good way to identify changes in your breast health. This is sometimes called breast self-awareness . If you notice any changes, you should tell your doctor right away.

There are two types of breast exams that are performed without special equipment:

• Clinical breast exam: This involves your doctor touching your breasts with his or her fingers to check for lumps or changes.
• Breast self-exam: This involves feeling your breasts with your fingers to check for lumps or changes.

But it's important to remember that while these breast exams are harmless, they haven't been found to be very helpful in preventing breast cancer. And they're never a substitute for a mammogram.

How should I get tested for breast cancer? What are the recommendations?

Your doctor will decide when and how often you need these tests. They will do this by performing a breast cancer risk assessment . This will look at your risk of developing cancer. Factors such as:

• Having genetic mutations such as (BRCA gene mutation) .
• Having a family history of breast cancer.
• Age.
• Breast density.

After determining your overall risk, your doctor will recommend when and how often you should have these tests, especially a mammogram.

Here are the general guidelines:

• If you are between 40 and 74 years old and have an average risk for breast cancer, you should have a mammogram once a year or every two years.
• If you are at high risk for breast cancer, you may need to have a mammogram every year until age 74. And your first mammogram may be done before age 40.
• If you have an average risk for breast cancer, you should have your first mammogram by age 40.

But remember, the best person to talk to about all of this is your doctor.

What risks might these tests pose?

The benefits of detecting cancer early (when it is more easily treatable) usually outweigh any risks of the test. While every test has its pros and cons, here are some of the risks you should consider:

• False positives: This means that a test shows that you may have cancer, even though you don't have it. Imagine, if that happened, you would have to do more tests unnecessarily, wouldn't it be worrying?
• False negatives: This is when a breast cancer test misses or fails to detect a cancer. This can lead to a delay in diagnosis and treatment.
• Pain or discomfort: It is normal to feel some discomfort during a breast cancer screening, especially a mammogram.
• Radiation exposure: Some tests expose you to low doses of radiation. These levels are safe.
• Overdiagnosis: This means your doctor treats a cancer with chemotherapy , radiation, or surgery that may not be causing any problems.
• Breast Exams: Research has not shown that breast self-exams or clinical breast exams provide any clear benefit as a "screening method." While they are not harmful, some people may rely solely on these breast exams and skip tests like mammograms.
• Allergic reaction: Some people may be allergic to the tracer material used in (MBI) and (MRI).

Your doctor can talk to you about the risks and benefits of each test and recommend which test is best for you based on your health history, age, and other factors.

What are the results of a breast cancer test?

Doctors use a system called BI-RADS to report breast cancer test results. This is a standardized way to describe breast imaging test results in a way that you can understand. It has six categories, and each category has a definition. If you don't understand your results, please see your doctor and have them explained.

How long does it take to get the test results?

This varies depending on the type of test. Most test results are available within a few business days. However, this depends on several factors. It's best to talk to your doctor before the test to find out when you can expect the results.

If the results are abnormal, what do you do next?

Doctors use several different types of tests to tell for sure if you have breast cancer. An abnormal result on a test does not mean you have breast cancer. It means that more tests, such as a breast ultrasound, are needed. A breast biopsy is the only procedure that can definitively determine if you have breast cancer.

When should I see a doctor?

See your doctor in these cases:

• If you have questions about when to have your first mammogram or your next one, be sure to keep these screening dates.
• If you notice new, unusual symptoms, such as nipple discharge, inverted nipples, changes in breast skin, or new breast lumps.
• If you have questions about your test results.
• If you would like to know more about the types of breast cancer tests you can get.

Finally, some important things to remember

Breast cancer screenings may seem like a hassle, but don't forget that they can save lives. When life gets busy, it's easy to forget about your health. But these tests can help identify potential problems early, which can make treatment easier.

When and how often you should get screened for breast cancer is often determined by your age, family history, and whether you have a genetic risk for cancer. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor right away. Remember, early detection of changes in your breasts is key. Don't hesitate to ask about scheduling a breast cancer screening.

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