Breast Cancer: Testing for and Detecting the Most Common Cancer in Women

According to the American Cancer Society breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. It can occur at any age, but it is more commonly found over the age of forty. There have been certain risk factors associated with breast cancer, these factors may increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Usually they include:

- family history of breast cancer (male or female)
- personal history of breast cancer
- genetic changes
- previous radiation therapy to the chest wall

Other factors may also have a chance in increasing your risk such as:
- menstruating at an early age
- going through menopause at a late age
- not having children
- first pregnancy over the age of thirty
- weight gain
- excessive use of alcohol

Although there is no real way to determine if you will develop breast cancer it is important to have annual check-ups especially if you are at risk. Breast examinations are also very essential to perform on yourself. As a medical practitioner I strongly recommend that women constantly take notice of their breasts by performing a breast exam and by also looking at the shape of their breasts routinely. Cancer.org gives a detailed description with images demonstrating the procedure to perform a breast self exam also known as the BSE.

A mammogram is another diagnostic tool that is used to detect some breast cancers. It is recommended that women at the age of forty have yearly mammograms for as long as they are in good health. Again those recommendations change with any risk factors that may be present.

Having a mammogram is a very uncomfortable experience for many women, however having an understanding about the procedure may alleviate some of the unnecessary stress involved. Simply put a mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and it can detect abnormalities early on and possibly long before anything is felt during a BSE.

There are two types of mammograms, a screening mammogram which is performed on women who do not present with any symptoms or a diagnostic mammogram which involves taking more "pictures" in anyone that may present with breast symptoms. The mammogram itself takes only a few minutes, however by the time the procedure is performed it may take up to 30 minutes.

It is recommended to avoid the use of any baby powder or deodorant, as they may be picked up on the testing. A gown is then provided with the opening to the front to allow the exposed breast to be tested. The machine will then be adjusted to your height for comfort. Now, this is where the discomfort level rises, one breast at time is placed on a base plate, here the technologist will position the breast to where it needs to be (yes a little uncomfortable). A second plate is then lowered to compress the breast on the base plate. This will give a full image and the internal structures of the breast. The pressure is released as soon as the picture is taken, which may feel like an eternity however in actuality it is a few seconds. If additional views need to be done they will usually let you know before you leave the site. Do not freak out this does not automatically mean that something is wrong. There are various reasons to perform more views. Some may just be that they were unsatisfactory to the radiologist reviewing them. Most of all a mammogram should not be painful, uncomfortable yes but painful no. If there is pain during the exam the technologist should be made aware, it may just be a positioning issue.

Obtaining the results may also add stress so everyone should be notified of their results in a timely fashion. I instruct anyone that if they have not obtained the results within a week then they have to be pro-active and obtain the results themselves.

These are simple things to help alleviate the stress that may be involved in checking for breast cancer, however if there are any symptoms or anything concerning with your breast please do not hesitate and contact a health care provider immediately. If anything appears abnormal or if there is a question there should be no reason that your medical provider cannot help with an answer. Many women are unsure for what to look or feel for during a breast self exam (BSE) and I am certain that if discussed with their provider assistance will be given. There should be no reason for hesitation on this subject, just remember that this is the leading cause of cancer in women so please be pro-active in your own health.

Resources:

http://www.breastselfexam.ca/

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp