An annual mammogram can save your life

"The best way to beat breast cancer is to find it early, and a mammogram 
is the gold standard for that."
-- Nathalie Johnson, MD, breast cancer surgeon and medical director of Legacy Cancer Institute

Start at age 40

In November 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force suggested that women begin routine mammogram screenings at age 50, and have them every two years instead of annually to minimize radiation exposure and avoid the anxiety that some women feel. But Legacy's extensive experience with patients contradicts that suggestion.

We believe that the benefits of screening far outweigh any risk because nearly one in four of our breast cancer patients are younger than 50.

Legacy breast health centers use digital mammography, the most advanced technology that delivers the most precise images and the least amount of radiation. 

Legacy's recommendations

"Because nearly a quarter of our breast cancer patients are under fifty, I urge you to get annual mammograms starting at forty, and to do self-exams at home."  -- Dr. Nathalie Johnson

• Women age 40 and older should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so for as long as they are in good health. While mammograms can miss some cancers, they are still a very good way to find breast cancer.
• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert, preferably every 3 years. After age 40, women should have a breast exam by a health expert every year. It might be a good idea to have the CBE shortly before the mammogram. You can use the exam to learn what your own breasts look and feel like.
• Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to a doctor or nurse right away.
  
  • If you decide to do BSE, you should have your doctor or nurse check your method to make sure you are doing it right. If you do BSE on a regular basis, you get to know how your breasts normally look and feel. Then you can more easily notice changes. But it's OK not to do BSE or not to do it on a fixed schedule.
  • The most important thing is to see a doctor right away if you notice any of these changes: a lump or swelling, skin irritation or dimpling, nipple pain or the nipple turning inward, redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin, or a discharge other than breast milk. But remember that most of the time these breast changes are not cancer.
• Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with a doctor about the best approach for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger, having extra screening tests, or having more frequent exams. There are charts called risk assessment tools that a doctor can use to figure out whether or not you are at high risk.