Who is breast screening for

The radiation from screening is about the same as 18 weeks of exposure to natural radiation in the environment.

If you want to know more about the potential benefits and risks of mammography, you may wish to talk to your doctor. For more information check our fact sheet on the early detection of breast cancer or call Cancer Council on 13 11 BreastScreen Australia is the national breast screening program and actively invites women aged 50—74 to have a free two yearly mammogram. Women aged 40—49 and those aged over 74 are also eligible to receive a free mammogram but do not receive an invitation.

If you have received an invitation, now is the time to tick breast screening off your list and make an appointment. A mammogram every 2 years is the best way to detect breast cancer early and improve survival. To make an appointment at one of more than BreastScreen Australia clinics nationwide, phone 13 20 50 at a cost of a local phone call. Currently capacity varies from state to state, so contact your local BreastScreen Australia service on 13 20 50 for more information.

Shop Online. The ACS does not recommend a clinical breast examination for women with an average risk of developing breast cancer. Finally, although breast self-examination has not been shown to lower deaths from breast cancer, it is important for women to become familiar with their breasts so that they can be aware of any changes and report these to their doctor.

Cancers that are growing more quickly are often found through breast examinations in between regular mammograms. The next section in this guide is Symptoms and Signs. It explains what body changes or medical problems breast cancer can cause. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide. Breast Cancer: Screening Have questions about breast cancer? Approved by the Cancer. The overall goals of cancer screening are to: Lower the number of people who develop the disease Lower the number of people who die from the disease, or eliminate deaths from cancer altogether Identify people with a higher risk of developing a specific type of cancer who may need screening more often due to genetic mutations or diseases Learn more about the basics of cancer screening.

Screening Information for Breast Cancer Mammography Mammography is the best tool doctors have to screen healthy women for breast cancer, as it has been shown to lower deaths from the disease. Screening recommendations Different organizations have looked at the evidence, risks, and benefits of mammography and have developed different screening recommendations. Types of Cancer.

Breast Cancer Guide. Net Guide Breast Cancer. Medical Illustrations. Risk Factors and Prevention. Symptoms and Signs. Types of Treatment. For every ten women who have a single mammogram , one will have a false-positive result. The chance of having a false-positive result goes up the more mammograms a woman has.

Comparing a current mammogram with a past mammogram lowers the risk of a false-positive result. The skill of the radiologist also can affect the chance of a false-positive result. If a mammogram is abnormal, more tests may be done to diagnose cancer. Women can become anxious during the diagnostic testing. Even if it is a false-positive test and cancer is not diagnosed, the result can lead to anxiety anywhere from a few days to years later.

Several studies show that women who feel anxiety after false-positive test results are more likely to schedule regular breast screening exams in the future. Screening test results may appear to be normal even though breast cancer is present. This is called a false-negative test result. A woman who has a false-negative test result may delay seeking medical care even if she has symptoms. About one in 5 cancers are missed by mammography. Some breast cancers found only by screening mammography may never cause health problems or become life-threatening.

Finding these cancers is called overdiagnosis. When these cancers are found, having treatment may cause serious side effects and may not lead to a longer, healthier life. Being exposed to high radiation doses is a risk factor for breast cancer. The radiation dose with a mammogram is very low.

Women who start getting mammograms after age 50 have very little risk that the overall exposure to radiation from mammograms throughout their lives will cause harm. Women with large breasts or with breast implants may be exposed to slightly higher radiation doses during screening mammography.

During a mammogram, the breast is placed between two plates that are pressed together. Pressing the breast helps to get a better x-ray of the breast. Some women have pain or discomfort during a mammogram. The amount of pain may also depend on the following:. Talk to your doctor or other care provider about your risk of breast cancer, whether a screening test is right for you, and the benefits and harms of the screening test. You should take part in the decision about whether you want to have a screening test, based on what is best for you.

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It is meant to inform and help patients, families, and caregivers. It does not give formal guidelines or recommendations for making decisions about health care. Editorial Boards write the PDQ cancer information summaries and keep them up to date. These Boards are made up of experts in cancer treatment and other specialties related to cancer. The summaries are reviewed regularly and changes are made when there is new information. The date on each summary "Updated" is the date of the most recent change.

The information in this patient summary was taken from the health professional version, which is reviewed regularly and updated as needed, by the PDQ Screening and Prevention Editorial Board.

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Each trial answers certain scientific questions in order to find new and better ways to help cancer patients. During treatment clinical trials, information is collected about the effects of a new treatment and how well it works.

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Questions to Ask about Your Treatment. Feelings and Cancer. Adjusting to Cancer. Day-to-Day Life. Women aged 40 and over are entitled to a free mammogram every two years through BreastScreen Australia, the national breast screening program. For those at increased risk yearly mammography may be offered and for those at very high risk breast MRI may be available outside of the Breastscreen program.

Mammographic screening is less effective in the detection of breast cancer for women under 40 years of age. If you are under 40 and are concerned you may be at increased risk for breast cancer, you should discuss this with your GP. You can also use the iPrevent breast cancer risk tool to estimate your breast cancer risk and get personalised advice about the type and frequency of screening that might be appropriate for you.