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Published in General on Oct 29th 2024

The ABCs of Breast Health: Self-Exams and Mammograms

Breast health is extremely important, and detecting issues early gives you the best chance of successful treatment. Routine breast care can also help find other noncancerous or benign conditions, too. Here’s what you need to know about breast health, including self-exams and mammograms:

Self-Exams

Regularly self-examining your breasts can help detect cancer or other conditions early. A self-exam involves checking your breasts by sight and touch for any changes, such as a new lump. It’s important to understand what’s normal for you so you can notice any breast changes as early as possible. You can give yourself a breast exam by:

• Examining your breasts in a mirror: Ensure your breasts are the usual size, shape, and color. Look out for any skin changes, nipple changes, rashes, or swelling.
• Check for signs of breast fluid: Look for any watery, milky, or yellow fluid or blood.
• Feel for breast lumps while lying down: Use a firm, smooth touch with the first few finger pads of your hand to check the entire breast from side to side and top to bottom.

Keep in mind that breast self-exams are not a substitute for other breast cancer screening methods. It should always be used along with regular physical exams by a doctor and mammograms.

Mammograms

Screening tests, like mammograms, are key in detecting conditions like breast cancer early. The earlier breast cancer is caught, the better the prognosis. Mammograms are low-dose X-rays of the breast. A mammogram can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop. Women who have regular mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer found earlier, are less likely to need aggressive treatments like surgery and chemotherapy, and are more likely to be cured.

For women aged 40 to 44 at average risk of breast cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends starting screening with a mammogram every year. Women aged 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year. Women 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms.

Learn More About Breast Health

It’s crucial to maintain routine breast care, including self-exams and yearly mammograms. At Pacific Women’s Obstetrics & Gynecology, our physicians have special expertise in women’s health and provide comprehensive gynecological services, including breast exams. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.