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What Approach to Breast Cancer Screening Is Right For Me?����

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. The����for all stages of breast cancer combined are 91%, according to the American Cancer Society. This rate is thanks to the increased prevalence of early detection through varying forms of breast cancer screening.��

Since screening was introduced, breast cancer mortality rates have decreased significantly. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, caused a decline in screening rates in recent years—a concerning trend to those who screen for and treat breast cancer. Melissa Reichman, M.D., assistant attending radiologist at��NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Campus, encourages all women to look into the screening options available to them.��

“Screen-detected cancer can lead to less extensive surgeries and treatment for the patient,”��Dr. Reichman says. “The American College of Radiology recommends annual mammography screening starting at age 40 for women of average risk for developing breast cancer.”��

Should I Be Screened for Breast Cancer?��

More than 70% of women who die from breast cancer in their 40s are part of the 20% of women who don’t receive breast cancer screenings, according to Dr. Reichman. While the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations say to start at age 40, she recommends erring on the side of caution. Breast cancer rate increases as a woman ages, and early detection can lead to early—and often successful—treatment.����

“The USPSTF uses limited, older data that basically underestimates mortality reduction gain from screening,” Dr. Reichman says. “All studies acknowledge that this screening mammography does reduce mortality in women, and that screening every year, starting at age 40, would save the most lives.”��

The��most common type��of breast cancer screening is mammography. Many providers now choose to use three-dimensional (3D) mammography to get a clearer look at the structures inside the breast for a more accurate result.����

“A 3D mammogram, also known as breast tomosynthesis, is an imaging test that combines multiple breast X-rays, taken at different angles, and creates a three-dimensional picture of the breast,” Dr. Reichman says. “This is compared to the conventional mammogram, which is a 2D picture of the breast. Tomosynthesis can decrease recall rates and the need for follow-up imaging, can detect slightly more cancers than a 2D mammogram, and really improve breast cancer detection in dense breast tissue.”��

Patients at ��������Ƶ will��receive their results in a timely manner. Upon the finalization, they can access their report and view images via Weill Cornell Connect. We are also available via phone should patients need additional assistance.

Women are also encouraged to do periodic breast self-exams at home. Being familiar with the look and feel of your breasts helps you detect any changes—any new lumps, pain or redness, for example—that might be of concern. If you find anything during these self-checks, you can then make an appointment with your doctor for further screening at that time, rather than waiting to be screened at your yearly appointment.��

Supplemental Options for Breast Cancer Screening��

Dr. Reichman notes that women at higher risk can benefit from starting screening earlier and utilizing supplemental types of screening. In addition to other factors already noted, breast cancer risk can be higher in certain populations.��

“I’d like women, especially Black women and those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent, to know they should be evaluated for breast cancer risk no later than [age] 30,” Dr. Reichman says, “so that if they are at higher risk they can be identified and can benefit from supplemental screening.”����

Talk to your primary care provider about the right approach to breast cancer screening for your risk level. .