The importance of breast cancer screening

Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in women across the U.S. And rates of the disease continue to climb, notably among younger women. A recent report from the American Cancer Society calculates that 1 in 50 women will develop invasive breast cancer by the age of 50.

Early detection through screening can lead to more treatable and curable breast cancers. Elizabeth Cathcart-Rake, M.D., a Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, clears up confusion about who should be screened and when in this "Mayo Clinic Minute" video:

Mayo Clinic recommends regular breast cancer screenings start at age 40. However, it's not a one-size-fits-all decision.

Dr. Cathcart-Rake says these decisions should be individualized because some people may benefit from screening earlier.

"Based on personal history of either breast cancer or a pre-invasive type of cancer in the breast (or another lesion in the breast that increases risk – things like atypical ductal hyperplasia), a strong family history, a genetic predisposition to breast cancer or chest radiation prior to the age of 30," she says.

The standard screening at Mayo Clinic is a 3D mammogram, but self-exams are crucial to notice any new or persistent changes in the breasts or chest wall.

"If you feel a lump, especially a hard lump that doesn't move very easily, that's persistent over the course of weeks and seems to only be stable or even getting worse, that's absolutely a reason to come in. And I always tell folks and tell my patients that if it's something that's bothering you, I want to know about it," says Dr. Cathcart-Rake.

She says it's important to discuss with care team your individual risk and what breast cancer screening decisions are right for you. Early detection helps people live longer.

"We know 1 in 8 women get breast cancer. That is common. This is, unfortunately, a common disease. And so it's really important that no matter what your family history is or your personal history is, that you still be thinking about breast cancer screening," says Dr. Cathcart-Rake.

Learn more

Learn more about breast cancer and find a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic.

Join the Breast Cancer Support Group on Mayo Clinic Connect, an online community moderated by Mayo Clinic for patients and caregivers.

Also, read these articles:

• How a different mammogram experience led to lifesaving cancer diagnosis
• Advances in breast cancer research: Decreasing the need for chemotherapy and reducing the intensity of radiation therapy

A version of this article was originally published on the Mayo Clinic News Network.