As a part of your annual health status evaluation, your physician will perform a breast exam to check for lumps or any abnormalities that may be a sign of breast cancer. Between the ages of 40 and 50, physicians recommend that you also receive a mammogram every one to two years. After the age of 50, it is recommended that you receive an annual mammogram screening.
During a mammogram, an X-ray of the breast is taken to screen for tumors that may be too small to feel. It is very common to be called for additional testing after a mammogram screening, so that a better view of overlapping breast tissue can be seen. If a tumor is detected during screening, a biopsy of the breast tissue may be recommended.
If you have a family history of breast cancer or the BRCA gene, you are likely to be at higher risk for developing breast cancer. Because early detection can dramatically impact the ease of treatment, it may be recommended that you begin breast cancer screenings at an earlier age and have them more frequently.
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For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 847.570.5020.