What is the best method of detecting breast cancer?
Regular breast self-examination, clinical examination and a high-quality mammogram is the most effective way. What will happen when I come for my breast screening visit? You will be seen by a doctor who will discuss your situation and make an assessment of your risk factors, including your family history. A careful examination of your breasts will be performed. This is very important as many abnormalities can be detected this way. It can also identify areas of your breast where extra attention must be taken when the mammogram is performed. You will also be instructed in the importance and technique of breast self- examination. Many Women feel uncertain about how this should be done and worry that they are not doing the examination correctly. We will teach you how and when it should be performed. Following this, you will be sent for a mammogram. What is a mammogram? Mammography is a specific type of imaging that uses a low- dose – ray system for examination of the breasts. We now have a
A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast, along with a clinical breast exam (an exam done by your doctor) is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early. Mammograms have both benefits and limitations. For example, some cancers can’t be detected by a mammogram, but may be detectable by breast exam. Checking your own breasts for lumps or other changes is called a breast self-exam (BSE). Studies so far have not shown that BSE alone reduces the numbers of deaths from breast cancer. BSE should not take the place of clinical breast exam and a mammogram.
