Breast Cancer

Early detection of breast cancer
The earlier that cancer can be detected, the better the response to treatment. The main ways of detecting breast cancer are by self-examination and regular mammograms.

Regular self-examination is an important way to detect the early signs of breast cancer and should be performed regularly by all adult women. The self-examination should take about 15 minutes, once a month, about a week after your period starts. Ask your doctor how to do this or pick up a leaflet at the surgery. It may take several months for you to become familiar with the routine and to learn what to expect to feel but with practice, self-examination of your breasts will become a natural part of your routine.

If you find a suspicious lump, see your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will perform an examination and may well suggest a mammogram. The vast majority of breast lumps found by women who perform self-examination regularly are not cancer. However, since about 20 per cent will turn out to be malignant, self-examination can be life saving.

Mammography
Mammography refers to an X-ray examination of the breast that is of most use in older, post-menopausal women. In some cases mammography can pick up cases of breast cancer before physical symptoms develop. The UK has a National Health Service breast-screening programme in which women between the ages of 50 and 64 are offered mammography at three yearly intervals. Beyond the age of 64 these examinations can be continued upon request.

Mammograms can detect a breast lump up to two years before it can be felt during a physical examination. However, this test can miss up to 10 per cent of breast cancers, so it is important to continue to perform regular self-examination.

A mammogram is simply an X-ray of your breasts from various angles. Although it doesn't hurt, it can be uncomfortable for some women or even a little embarrassing, because a radiographer will move and flatten your breasts on the X-ray machine into the best positions for taking pictures. Usually, the whole procedure takes less than 15 minutes. If something abnormal is detected in a mammogram, the next step is to take additional X-ray views or an ultrasound. A recent study by the World Health Organisation concluded that screening would save the life of 1in every 500 women over 50 who attended appointments.