When Should I Get a Mammogram?

The goal of screening for breast cancer is to find it BEFORE symptoms begin (such as a lump). The earlier cancer is detected, the more likely a tumor will be smaller and more confined to the breast. This means treatment is likely to be more successful and survival rates will be higher.

The American College of Radiology currently recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer get annual screening mammograms, starting at age 40. They recommend a risk assessment at age 30 to determine if earlier screening is needed.

If you have risk factors, such as a family history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about the appropriate time to begin screening mammograms.

If you have symptoms of breast cancer, don’t delay making an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can write a physician’s order for a diagnostic mammogram.

Symptoms include:

  • Breast lump
  • Skin dimpling or skin looking like an orange peel
  • Nipple retraction (turning inward)
  • Nipple/areola skin that is red, dry, flaking or thickened
  • Nipple discharge other than breast milk (bloody or clear like water)
  • Swollen lymph nodes (under the arm or around the collar bone – these can sometimes be felt even before the original tumor in the breast)
  • Swelling of the breast (even if no pain)
  • Breast or nipple pain that persists in one pinpoint spot and never goes away, especially if associated with a breast lump

Tomosynthesis (also known as 3D Mammography) is the newest breast cancer screening technology, shown to have 30% increased breast cancer detection over conventional 2D mammography.

3D Mammography is Now Available at:

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Article by: Sarah Mizuguchi, M.D.

Sarah Mizuguchi, M.D., practices at the UofL Health – Brown Cancer Center downtown and UofL Health – Medical Center Northeast locations. Dr. Mizuguchi’s areas of interest include breast MRI, breast procedures, breast ultrasound and mammography. She received her medical degree and completed her pediatrics internship, radiology residency and breast imaging fellowship at University of Louisville School of Medicine. Dr. Mizuguchi is certified by the American Board of Radiology. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiology at UofL School of Medicine. Dr. Mizuguchi is a mom to three teenage boys, a Pilates instructor and a fashion addict.

All posts by Sarah Mizuguchi, M.D.
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