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Breast Cancer Screenings

When you make an appointment with your doctor, have a goal in mind. What do you want to achieve? What do you want to understand? Think about what you would like to have addressed, talk about your concerns, and leave with a plan for a screening routine.

 

Breast Cancer Screenings

 

Screenings for breast cancer can be arranged with your physician based on your medical need, genetic profile or cancer risk. Talk to your doctor about your concerns and start a discussion about when it’s best for you to develop a screening routine.

Types of Breast Screenings

Select the screening technique you would like to know more about. 

Mammograms
Ultrasounds
Breast MRIs
Thermography

How Can I Get a Breast Cancer Screening?

 

After you make an appointment, develop your game plan by having a list of your family’s cancer history ready. (You can include all cancers.) It can be really helpful if you also have a general idea of the ages and dates of diagnosis, as well as information on where you’re family is from and some background on their ancestry. After a discussion with your medical provider, you may be referred to a genetics counselor for further evaluation.

Preventative Screening

If you have a family history of breast cancer and/or would like to develop a screening routine, your doctor will develop a plan for evaluating your risks and talk to you about your options. You can visit your primary care physician or gynecologist to start the conversation.

Medical Need

If you have found a lump in your breast, it’s normal for your doctor to perform a physical examination of your breast and refer you for a diagnostic mammogram and/or ultrasound. Both tests are usually performed at the same appointment.

Note: Screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms are billed differently. When The Affordable Care Act was passed, it required insurance plans to cover screening mammograms for women 40+ with no out-of-pocket costs. Coverage for diagnostic mammograms varies by state and insurance plan.

Which Screening Would You Like to Know More About?

MAMMOGRAMS
BREAST MRI
THERMOGRAPHY
ULTRASOUND

What is a Mammogram?

Mammograms are the most common breast cancer screening, and there are three types:

  • Film mammography is an x-ray picture of the breast.
  • Digital mammography is a computer picture of the breast.
  • Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) uses x-rays to take a series of pictures of the breast from many different angles. A computer is used to make 3-D pictures of the breast from these x-rays.

DBT was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 and is now used in 3 out of 4 facilities. One study found that DBT reduced false-positive test results (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn’t) and was likely to reduce breast cancer deaths. More studies are being done to provide information on digital mammography compared to DBT.

Source: The National Cancer Institute

Note: Mammography is less likely to find breast tumors in women with dense breast tissue. Because both tumors and dense breast tissue appear white on a mammogram, it can be harder to find a tumor when there is dense breast tissue.

What is a Mammogram?

Mammograms are the most common breast cancer screening, and there are three types:

  • Film mammography is an x-ray picture of the breast.
  • Digital mammography is a computer picture of the breast.
  • Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) uses x-rays to take a series of pictures of the breast from many different angles. A computer is used to make 3-D pictures of the breast from these x-rays.

DBT was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 and is now used in 3 out of 4 facilities. One study found that DBT reduced false-positive test results (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn’t) and was likely to reduce breast cancer deaths. More studies are being done to provide information on digital mammography compared to DBT.

Source: The National Cancer Institute

Note: Mammography is less likely to find breast tumors in women with dense breast tissue. Because both tumors and dense breast tissue appear white on a mammogram, it can be harder to find a tumor when there is dense breast tissue.

What is a Breast MRI?

You may be referred for a breast MRI if you have a high risk of breast cancer.

MRI is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). MRI does not use any x-rays and the woman is not exposed to radiation.

MRI may be used as a screening test for women who have a high risk of breast cancer. Factors that put women at high risk include the following:

  • Certain gene changes, such as changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
  • A family history (first degree relative, such as a mother, daughter or sister) with breast cancer.
  • Certain genetic syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni or Cowden syndrome.

An MRI is more likely than mammography to find a breast mass that is not cancer.

Women with dense breasts who have supplemental screening (for example, an MRI) show higher rates of breast cancer detection, but there is limited evidence about whether this leads to better health outcomes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute

What is a Breast MRI?

You may be referred for a breast MRI if you have a high risk of breast cancer.

MRI is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). MRI does not use any x-rays and the woman is not exposed to radiation.

MRI may be used as a screening test for women who have a high risk of breast cancer. Factors that put women at high risk include the following:

  • Certain gene changes, such as changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
  • A family history (first degree relative, such as a mother, daughter or sister) with breast cancer.
  • Certain genetic syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni or Cowden syndrome.

An MRI is more likely than mammography to find a breast mass that is not cancer.

Women with dense breasts who have supplemental screening (for example, an MRI) show higher rates of breast cancer detection, but there is limited evidence about whether this leads to better health outcomes.

Source: The National Cancer Institute

What is Thermography?

Thermography is a procedure in which a special camera that senses heat is used to record the temperature of the skin that covers the breasts. Tumors can cause temperature changes that may show up on the thermogram.

At this time, there have been no randomized clinical trials of thermography to find out how well it detects breast cancer or the harms of the procedure. But you can talk to your provider about the effectiveness of thermography in detecting breast cancer. 

Source: The National Cancer Institute

What is Thermography?

Thermography is a procedure in which a special camera that senses heat is used to record the temperature of the skin that covers the breasts. Tumors can cause temperature changes that may show up on the thermogram.

At this time, there have been no randomized clinical trials of thermography to find out how well it detects breast cancer or the harms of the procedure. But you can talk to your provider about the effectiveness of thermography in detecting breast cancer. 

Source: The National Cancer Institute

What is a Breast Ultrasound?

A review of different sources online reveals that a breast ultrasound isn’t necessarily used a screening tool, but often ordered in conjunction with a mammogram if a woman is known to have dense breasts. Additionally, expectant mothers are advised to avoid having x-ray imaging performed, and a breast ultrasound may be a suitable alternative.

According to the CDC, Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to see inside the body. There is no ionizing radiation used and in most ultrasound examinations, and no contrast is given.

What is a Breast Ultrasound?

A review of different sources online reveals that a breast ultrasound isn’t necessarily used a screening tool, but often ordered in conjunction with a mammogram if a woman is known to have dense breasts. Additionally, expectant mothers are advised to avoid having x-ray imaging performed, and a breast ultrasound may be a suitable alternative.

According to the CDC, Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to see inside the body. There is no ionizing radiation used and in most ultrasound examinations, and no contrast is given.

What Can You Expect Next?

If your doctor recommends a routine breast screening plan, you will want to discuss what a follow-up will include. This is important because if you receive a letter or get something posted to your online chart, you may not understand what you're reading. While it may be tempting, you don't want to be put in a position where you're inclined to Google your symptoms. 

You’ll want to talk about things such as:

  • How will I receive my results? Will I receive a phone call, electronic communication, a letter, etc.?
  • Will you receive my results before I do? If my results require further testing, how will I be notified?
  • What result(s) would I receive that would require me to come back for a follow-up visit? 
  • If I don’t hear anything, how should I follow-up with you to get my results?

 

 

Never Forget How to Do a Self Exam

Fill out the form below and get easy-to-access instructions on how to do a self breast exam. 

Never Forget How to Do a Self Exam

Fill out the form below and get easy-to-access instructions on how to do a self breast exam.