Breast cancer screenings help detect cancer in early stages when treatment is most effective.
By Dr. Annie Xu
Why is breast cancer screening important?
1 in 8 women in America will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Breast cancer screening with low-dose x-rays (mammograms) helps detect cancer at an early stage when treatment is most effective. Cancers are caused by mutations in the body’s own cells, resulting in uncontrolled growth. Depending on the individual mutations, breast cancer can quickly go from stage 1 (local disease) to stage 4 (whole-body disease) within 1-2 years.
50% of breast cancers occur in women with no risk factors other than age. With the increasing rates of breast cancer in younger women, doctors generally recommend annual mammograms for women between ages 40-54. Starting at age 55, women can switch to every 2 years if they desire and if they have low-risk histories. Women who have strong family histories of breast cancer or certain genetic mutations should discuss with their physician to start screening at age 30.
What about breast exams?
While research has not shown clear benefit from breast exams, self-exams have led to diagnoses of breast cancer in otherwise unscreened populations such as men and very young women. The following signs are unusual and should be discussed with a physician:
- Persistent rash or skin discoloration
- Dimpling of the skin like an orange peel
- Puckering skin
- Skin thickening
This just scratches the surface of breast cancer and age-appropriate cancer screenings. For more information, talk with your primary care provider.
Dr. Annie Xu is a local primary care physician at Hot Springs Internal Medicine Clinic, who specializes in chronic care management, women’s health, and general practice medicine. Her clinic is located at 301 Exchange St, Hot Springs. To schedule an appointment, call 501-621-4222.
