COURIER L 32 IFE, OCTOBER 15-21, 2021
Let’s talk about the W’s
(who, what, when and why)
of breast cancer screening
What is breast cancer
screening?
Breast cancer screening refers to
checking the breast tissue for signs
or symptoms of cancer. Breast cancer
screening cannot prevent breast cancer
from developing, but it can help with
the detection of changes early on. Initial
screening can begin with a breast
exam you can do on yourself or a clinical
breast exam done by your provider.
Breast self-examination can begin
at any age. It is important to develop
a routine of when you examine your
breast; this allows you to get to know
the normal feel of your breast and detect
changes early. This breast exam
can detect changes in the tissue and
prompt further evaluation. Your provider
can perform your breast exam
during your annual exam or more often
if there’s a concern or abnormality.
Your provider will commonly order a
breast x-ray, commonly known as a
mammogram, and sometimes include
a breast ultra sound as part of the
routine screening evaluation.
Who should get breast
cancer screening?
Breast cancer screening
usually refers to
women, but it can
refer to men as well,
because men can develop
breast cancer.
All women ages 50
to 74, who are at average risk should
get a mammogram to screen them for
breast cancer every two years. This
is based on the recommendations
from the United States Preventive Services
Task Force (USPSTF). Women
between the ages of 40 to 49 and 75 or
greater should speak to their provider
on whether a mammogram is recommended
based on their risk factors for
breast cancer.
Why should you get breast
cancer screening?
Breast cancer is the most common
cancer among women in the US. In
2018, there were 254,744 new breast cancer
cases diagnosed among women, or
127 new breast cancer cases for every
100,000 women. Breast cancer screening
can help with early detection of
changes in the breast tissue. Breast
cancer screening can help detect breast
cancer at an early stage, improving the
chances of treatment and cure.
When should you get breast
cancer screening?
If you fi nd any changes in your
breast, speak to your provider immediately.
Michelle Soto, MD, Interim Chief of Ambulatory
Care, Director Primary Care at Coney
Island Hospital. Coney Island Hospital
Any person with a family history
of breast cancer should speak to their
provider to determine when it’s the
best time to start breast cancer
screening. Women between
the ages of 40 to 49 should
have a discussion with their
provider on the benefi ts and
risks of starting breast cancer
screening at this age. This
allows you to make an informed
and shared decision with your
provider.
Women ages 50 to 74, who
are at average risk should
get a mammogram to screen
them for breast cancer every
two years, more frequently if there
is higher risk or an abnormality was
detected. Women who are 75 and above
should have a discussion with their provider
on the benefi ts and risks of starting
breast cancer screening at this age.
What is an advancement in
technology that enables doctors
to detect breast cancer earlier
than in years past?
The development of digital mammography
has improved the detection
of early breast changes, has allowed
for images to be viewed remotely and
has made it possible for doctors to discuss
these images while working in
different locations.
To schedule a mammogram at NYC
Health + Hospitals/Coney Island call
1.844.872.6639, 24 hours, 7 days per week.
Sources: What Is Breast Cancer Screening?
(CDC), Breast Cancer Statistics (CDC), USCS
Data Visualizations (CDC), Venkataraman, S.,
Slanetz, P. & Lee, C. (2021). Breast imaging for
cancer screening: Mammography and ultrasonography.
UpToDate.
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