Where To Go To Get Checked For Breast Cancer

There Are Ways To Find Low

If you dont have health insurance, dont assume that means you cant get screened. There may be more ways to get good, affordable health care than you think. Each October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, many mammography centers offer mammograms at reduced rates. Year round, there are organizations working to help women get screened whatever their financial and insurance status.

Getting screened for breast cancer is a crucial part of breast healthbut its not enough on its own. Heres everything you should know to take charge of your breast health.

What Should I Do If I Find A Lump

Donât panic. It could be many things other than cancer. But do check in with your doctorâs office if you notice any new breast changes, such as:

• An area that is different from any other area on either breast
• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that lasts through your menstrual cycle
• A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast
• A mass or lump
• A marble-like area under the skin
• A change in the feel or appearance of the skin on the breast or nipple
• Bloody or clear fluid discharge from the nipples
• Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple

Tests Are Used To Screen For Different Types Of Cancer When A Person Does Not Have Symptoms

Scientists study screening tests to find those with the fewest harms and most benefits. Cancer screening trials also are meant to show whether early detection helps a person live longer or decreases a persons chance of dying from the disease. For some types of cancer, the chance of recovery is better if the disease is found and treated at an early stage.

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Screening For Women At Higher Risk

You can have screening from a younger age if you have a;higher than average risk of breast cancer. This might be due to a family history or an inherited faulty gene.

Speak to your GP if you think you might be at increased risk. They can refer you to a genetic specialist, who can assess your risk. Not everyone with a family history of cancer is at increased risk themselves.

Follow Up Care After Breast Cancer Treatment

Many women are relieved or excited to be finished with breast cancer treatment. But it can also be a time of worry, being concerned about the cancer coming back, or feeling lost without seeing their cancer care team as often.

For some women with advanced breast cancer, the cancer may never go away completely. These women may continue to get treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other treatments to help keep the breast cancer under control and to help relieve symptoms from it. Learning to live with breast cancer that doesnt go away can have its own type of uncertainty.

Even if you have completed breast cancer treatment, your doctors will want to watch you closely. Its very important to go to all of your follow-up appointments. During these visits, your doctors will ask if you are having any problems, and will probably examine you. Lab tests and imaging tests aren’t typically needed after treatment for most early stage breast cancers, but they might be done in some women to look for signs of cancer or treatment side effects.

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What Other Cancers Are Linked To Harmful Variants In Brca1 And Brca2

Harmful variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of several additional cancers. In women, these include fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer , both of which start in the same cells as the most common type of ovarian cancer. Men with BRCA2 variants, and to a lesser extent BRCA1 variants, are also at increased risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer . Both men and women with harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 variants are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer, although the risk increase is low .

In addition, certain variants in BRCA1 and BRCA2 can cause subtypes of Fanconi anemia, a rare syndrome that is associated with childhood solid tumors and development of acute myeloid leukemia . The mutations that cause these Fanconi anemia subtypes have a milder effect on protein function than the mutations that cause breast and ovarian cancer. Children who inherit one of these variants from each parent will develop Fanconi anemia.;;

Have A Regular Cervical Screening Test

Have a cervical screening test every five years from the age of 25. If you have previously had a Pap test , you should have your first HPV screening test two years after your last Pap test. If the test is negative for HPV, you can wait five years before your next test.

This replaces the Pap test previously used under the;National Cervical Screening Program. While the procedure is similar the Pap test, the renewed National Cervical Screening Program now tests for the human papillomavirus , which causes almost all cases of cervical cancer. The renewed National Cervical Screening Program has been effective from 1 December 2017.

In Australia, women can access a vaccine that can protect against the cause of most cervical cancers, HPV. However, the vaccines do not protect against all HPV types that cause cervical cancers, therefore all vaccinated women will still need regular cervical screening tests.

If you have cervical cancer, find out more on how to cope in our after a diagnosis of cervical cancer section.

There are currently no screening tests for ovarian, uterine, endometrial, vulvar or vaginal cancers. Fortunately, these cancers are very rare. Be aware of what is normal for you and if you notice any changes or symptoms that persist, visit your doctor.

To learn more about eliminating cervical cancer watch the video;below.;;

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When Will I Be Offered Breast Screening

Breast screening is offered to women aged 50 to their 71st birthday in England.

You’ll first be invited for screening between the ages of 50 and 53.

You may be eligible for breast screening before the age of 50 if you have a very high risk of developing breast cancer.

Why Are Breast Exams Important

Breast exams improve the chances of finding breast cancer early. And the earlier breast cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.

Your doctor or nurse can tell whether your breasts look and feel healthy. During a breast exam, your doctor will feel for lumps and other problems, and can recommend more tests if theres anything unusual.

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Find Your Local Breastscreen Provider

To book your free mammogram, contact your local BreastScreen provider on 13 20 50

BreastScreen NSW has temporarily suspended all routine breast screening across the state. While clinics are closed, monitor for symptoms and contact your GP if you notice any changes.

Keep up-to-date with developments and when clinics reopen remember to tick breast cancer screening off you to-do list.

Breast screening saves lives. Screening is one of the most effective ways to detect early signs of breast cancer, meaning treatment outcomes are much better. Early detection is the best way to improve survival.

During Covid-19 many things were forgotten. While there was a brief pause of the BreastScreen Australia program in April 2020, states and territories have resumed services at a reduced capacity with COVIDSafe measures in place. Your health and safety are important, so measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of transmission against the ongoing risk of COVID-19.

So its important for women aged 50-74 to put breast screening back at the top of their to-do-list.

If youve been sent an invitation, its time to tick breast screening off your list.

When Do Experts Advise Starting Mammograms

For women who are at average risk for breast cancer, there are no easy answers for when to start having mammograms. Recommendations for when to start having mammograms vary from province to province. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.

For example:

For women who are at average risk for breast cancer, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care recommends the following guidelines.footnote 1

• Ages 40 to 49: Regular mammograms are not recommended.
• Ages 50 to 74: Regular mammograms are recommended.
• Age 75 and older: You may want to talk to your doctor about whether you need breast cancer screening.

Most experts agree that all women should be informed about the risks and benefits of mammograms and offered screening by age 50.

When to stop having mammograms is another decision. You and your doctor will decide on the right age to stop screening based on your personal preferences and overall heath.

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What Age Should You Go For Breast Cancer Screening

Around two million women are screened for breast cancer each year.

The NHS Breast Screening Programme is currently for women aged between 50 and 70, and involves screening every three years.

In some parts of England, this has been opened to women aged 47 to 73;years old as part of a trial.

Women are called to a mammogram, which is an image of the breasts obtained by mammography.

Mammography is used for the early detection of breast cancer and involves an X-ray of the breasts.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month an annual, worldwide campaign.

There are events held across the UK and the world to “highlight the importance of breast awareness, education and research.”

People also wear pink, and the hashtag #wearitpink is used throughout October, and people can also wear a ribbon in support. You can find out more information and ways to get involved by visiting the Wear It Pink website.

When Should I Get A Mammogram

There are 2 types of mammograms: screening mammograms and diagnostic mammograms. Screening mammograms are ones you get as part of a regular checkup if youve had no symptoms. They let your doctor see whats normal for your breasts and if there are any changes since your last mammogram.

Mammogram guidelines vary. Most people with breasts should get screening mammograms every 1-2 years starting at age 40. You may need get one before you turn 40 if someone in your family had breast cancer at a young age, or if you have cysts in your breasts, which can hide the symptoms of breast cancer.

Diagnostic mammograms focus on potential breast problem areas. Your doctor might recommend a diagnostic mammogram after discovering a lump during a clinical breast exam or after an abnormal screening mammogram.

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What Are The Risks Of Having A Mammogram

Each time you have a mammogram, there is a risk that the test:

• May miss some breast cancers. And some cancers that are found may still be fatal, even with treatment.
• May show an abnormal result when it turns out there wasn’t any cancer . This means you may need more testssuch as another mammogram, a breast ultrasound, or a biopsyto make sure you don’t have cancer. These tests can be harmful and cause a lot of worry.
• May find cancers that will never cause a problem . Some breast cancers never grow or spread and are harmless. You might have this type of cancer, but a mammogram can’t tell whether it’s harmless. So you may get cancer treatmentincluding surgery, radiation, or chemotherapythat you don’t need.
• Will briefly expose you to very small amounts of radiation. While the risk from being exposed to radiation from a mammogram is low, it can add up over time.

*Based on the best available evidence

*Based on the best available evidence

Breast cancer diagnosis

Mammograms can find some breast cancers early, when the cancer may be more easily treated. Often a mammogram can find cancers that are too small for you or your doctor to feel.

Take a group of women who have a mammogram every year for 10 years.footnote 3

Survival

Risks

Understanding the evidence

Your Insurance Should Cover Breast Cancer Screening

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, all health insurance plans should cover yearly mammograms with no out-of-pocket costs for women 40 and older. If your doctor says youre at a higher risk of breast cancer because of family history, an inherited gene mutation or other risk factors, your screening should be covered even if youre under 40. CBEs and screening breast MRIs should also be covered if your doctor recommends them. Medicare and Medicaid also cover breast cancer screening. Check with your insurance provider to find out where you should go for screenings and make sure theyll cover whatever services you need.

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When To Contact The Screening Centre

If you decide to take up the invitation, contact your local screening centre as soon as possible if you:

• want to have someone else with you during the scan, however, men aren’t allowed to enter mobile screening units
• have a disability
• need an interpreter or any other help
• have any concerns or want to discuss anything about your appointment

You should also contact the screening centre if you:

• have breast implants

Your mammographer will X-ray one breast at a time. To do this she’ll:

• position your breast between 2 special plates on the mammogram machine
• press the breast firmly between the plates for a few seconds
• take 2 pictures of each breast you should stay as still as possible while she takes the pictures

A mammogram only takes a few minutes.

Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations

The United States Preventive Services Task Forceexternal icon is an organization made up of doctors and disease experts who look at research on the best way to prevent diseases and make recommendations on how doctors can help patients avoid diseases or find them early.

The USPSTFexternal icon;recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years. Women who are 40 to 49 years old should talk to their doctor or other health care professional about when to start and how often to get a mammogram. Women should weigh the benefits and risks of screening tests when deciding whether to begin getting mammograms before age 50.

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Benefits Of Breast Screening

Breast cancers found by screening are generally at an early stage. Very early breast cancers are usually easier to treat, may need less treatment, and are more likely to be cured.

The current evidence suggests that breast screening reduces the number of deaths from breast cancer by about 1,300 a year in the UK.

Almost all women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest possible stage survive for at least 5 years after diagnosis and are likely to be cured.

If You Have A Higher Risk Of Breast Cancer

Routine breast cancer screening is important for anyone with breasts, but even more so for those at higher risk. Work with your doctor to look at your individual risk factors and discuss what screening tests are right for you. If you and your doctor find that you have a higher risk of breast cancer, you may need to be screened earlier and more often than average. You might also benefit from breast MRI screening along with regular mammograms.

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If You Have A Gene Mutation

If you have had tests that showed a change in a gene that increases the risk of breast cancer, the recommendations are slightly different.

UK guidelines recommend;yearly MRI scans from:

• age 20 for women with a TP53 mutation
• age 30 for women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

• Read about;having family members with breast cancer

Are Harmful Variants In Brca1 And Brca2 More Common In Certain Racial/ethnic Populations Than Others

Yes. The likelihood of carrying an inherited mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 varies across specific population groups. While the prevalence in the general population is about 0.2%0.3% , about 2.0% of people of Ashkenazi Jewish;descent carry a harmful variant in one of these two genes and the variants are usually one of three specific variants, called founder mutations. Other populations, such as Norwegian, Dutch, and Icelandic peoples, also have founder mutations .

Different racial/ethnic and geographic populations also tend to carry different variants in these genes. For instance, African Americans have BRCA1 variants that are not seen in other racial/ethnic groups in the United States . Most people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent in the United States who carry a BRCA variant have one of three specific variants . In the Icelandic population, a different variant in BRCA1 is common among those who inherit a mutation in BRCA1.;

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Getting Checked What’s Involved

Some people put off visiting their GP practice because they think theyll be wasting their time. Your doctor wont think that they want to see you if youre worried about potential symptoms. The symptoms might not be due to cancer. But if it is, the earlier its picked up the higher the chance of successful treatment.

Its always best to get checked early. Your concerns will be listened to and depending on your symptoms they will:

• Be able to reassure you;
• Examine the area you are concerned about;
• Refer you to the hospital for further tests if necessary.