What To Know About Breast Cancer Screening

Updated October 17, 2024.

When should you start having mammograms to screen for breast cancer, and how often should you have them? Ask 10 doctors this question and you might get 30 different answers. Ask a few trusted friends or relatives about their mammography schedules, and you’ll likely hear a lot of variety in their responses, too.

Why so much variation? Scientific understanding of the potential harms and benefits of breast cancer screening is still evolving and as a result, recommendations differ between experts. This has left many patients confused about their screening options.

At One Medical, we believe the decision to start screening is a personal one, that should be made based on one’s own values and unique health needs. As the harms and benefits of mammograms vary with age, race, genetics and health history, understanding your risk level and screening options is crucial to protecting your health.

Below is our guide to how you can identify breast cancer and work with your primary care provider to determine the right time to start screening.

Breast cancer occurs when uncontrollable, malignant cell growth takes place in the breast, creating a tumor. There are many types of breast cancers, categorized by the cells in which the cancer began. Most breast cancers begin in the lobules, the glands where milk is produced, or the ducts, the tubes that carry milk to the nipple. Some cancers may develop in the fatty, connective tissue within the breast. These cancerous cells can enter the bloodstream and lymph nodes and travel to other parts of the body. This is what is known as metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancers can present differently from person to person. Some people with breast cancer may not experience any symptoms at all, which is why screening is crucial in identifying breast cancer. The most common symptoms include the following:

• New lump or tissue thickening in the breast or armpit
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast (even if no lump is felt)
• Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling, known as peau d’orange skin
• Breast or nipple pain
• Redness or flaky skin on the nipple or breast
• Nipple retraction
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Change in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
• Rash around the nipple

It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by things other than cancer. For instance, a lump in your breast could be the result of a benign cyst.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or are concerned you may have breast cancer, you should reach out to your primary care provider. They will be able to help you rule out any other potential causes, as well as run the appropriate diagnostic tests.

While everyone with breasts is at risk of breast cancer, some individuals are more likely to develop the disease than others. Unique risk factors that may increase your chances of developing breast cancer include the following:

• Being born female: While those with male reproductive organs can get breast cancer, the disease is far more common in those with female reproductive organs. This includes cisgender woman, transgender men, and nonbinary individuals who were assigned female at birth.
• Age: Risk of breast cancer increases with older age and most breast cancers are diagnosed in those 55 and older.
• Genetic factors: According to the American Cancer Society, about 5 to 10% of breast cancer cases are thought to be hereditary. The most common cause of hereditary breast cancer is an inherited mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. Individuals with either of these mutations have a 7 in 10 chance of getting breast cancer by age 80, are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, and have a higher risk of having cancer in both breasts.
• Family history: You may be at higher risk of breast cancer if a first-degree relative (parent, child or sibling) has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. The risk increases if multiple relatives have either of these cancers.
• Race: African American individuals are more likely to get breast cancer at a younger age. They are also more likely to die from breast cancer at any age. Asian, Hispanic, and Native Americans individuals have a lower risk of breast cancer.
• Breast density: Breast density refers to the amount of fibrous and glandular tissue visible on a mammogram. Those who have more connective tissue than fatty tissue have a higher breast density. Individuals with dense breasts have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. Iit may be harder to detect cancer in dense breast tissue as well.

The goal of breast cancer screening is to detect cancer before it causes symptoms. The most common way to screen for breast cancer is through a mammogram, which is an x-ray of the breast. Mammograms can detect tumors that may be too small to feel and can identify changes in breast tissue before physical symptoms develop.

Those who have a very high risk of breast cancer may also have a breast MRI in addition to their mammogram. MRIs use magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast. As MRIs can often come back abnormal even when there is no cancer, they are only recommended for those who have a very high risk of breast cancer after discussing the risks and benefits with their provider. Likewise, MRIs should only be used in addition to mammograms, not as a substitute, as they can also miss cancers a mammogram could detect.

At One Medical, we believe the decision to start screening should be tailored to you and your individual needs. We encourage average risk individuals to discuss when to start screening and how often with their provider by age 40. For anyone who has a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors for breast cancer, it may be worth having a discussion earlier in case there is a benefit from earlier or more frequent screening.

For those at average risk, we recommend mammograms every 1-2 years, taking your values and preferences into account. If you are younger than 40 or older than 74, we recommend having a discussion with your primary care provider to discuss the risks and benefits of breast cancer screening for your age.

While the thought of breast cancer may be scary or overwhelming, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. Your primary care provider is there to guide you, answer any questions you may have, and support you through any necessary treatment or follow-up care. At One Medical, we will work with you to develop a care plan based on your unique health needs and goals. Schedule a visit with one of our primary care providers today if you think you are at risk for breast cancer or have any other questions about your health.