It’s always a good idea to keep a close eye on any changes you notice in your breasts, and when it’s time for you to get a breast cancer screening, don’t hesitate to make the time for an appointment.
We know that screening for breast cancer early can help find cancer when it’s more manageable, when it is smaller, and before it has spread to another area of your body.
Breast cancer screenings are quick and easy, and to live your life cancer free, it’s a good idea to get routine annual screenings
We’ll show you why regular breast cancer screenings are so important, including 3D mammograms, breast MRIs, and breast ultrasounds, we will look at lifestyle and cancer risk, and we’ll show you how to discuss cancer with your healthcare provider.
What impact does early detection have on survival rates?
The American Cancer Society has found that when breast cancer is detected early, and hasn’t spread beyond the breasts, the five-year survival rate is 99%. For comparison, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed at the most advanced stage is about 31%. So you can see, the earlier the detection of cancer, the higher the survival rate.
| SEER Stage | 5-Year Relative Survival Rate |
| Localized | 99% |
| Regional | 86% |
| Distant | 31% |
| All SEER stages combined | 91% |
How can early detection reduce the need for more invasive cancer treatments?
Early detection of breast cancer can help catch the disease at an early stage when it is smaller and easier to treat. This can reduce the need for more invasive treatments like extensive surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. When found early, less invasive treatments are often effective, leading to better outcomes and a quicker recovery.
Mammograms, breast MRIs, and breast ultrasounds
Your healthcare provider may recommend a few different scans to help the early detection of breast cancer, including mammograms, breast MRI, and breast ultrasound. We’ll help you understand what each of those scans does best.
How does a screening mammogram help in the early detection of breast cancer?
A 3D mammogram is a scan of the breast that can detect changes in your breast tissue, including small lumps, or abnormalities that may not be felt during a physical exam. It helps identify potential signs of breast cancer at an early stage, often before symptoms appear. By spotting these early changes, a mammogram can guide further testing and treatment options, increasing the chances of successful intervention.
How do ultrasounds and MRI scans complement mammograms in my breast cancer screening?
Ultrasounds and MRI scans provide additional imaging that can help detect breast cancer, especially in people with dense breast tissue where mammograms may not capture all details. On the one hand, breast ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of breast tissue, making them helpful for examining areas that may not show clearly on a mammogram.
Breast MRIs, on the other hand, use magnets and radio waves to provide a more detailed view of the breast––this can be especially useful for high-risk individuals, or those with dense breast tissue. These complementary methods can help identify suspicious areas that a mammogram might miss, improving the accuracy of early detection.
Current guidelines for a breast cancer screening
How often you get a screening mammogram will depend on certain factors, like your age, and your risk for breast cancer. Let’s look at what the current recommendations are for when to get a screening.
What are the current recommendations for getting a breast cancer screening?
Multiple health experts recommend all women start screening mammograms at age 40, and repeat them each and every year. Women with higher risk factors like a family history of breast cancer may need to begin screenings earlier, and should consider additional imaging, like breast MRIs. It’s essential to discuss your risk with your healthcare provider to determine the best screening plan.
How often should I get a screening, based on my risk factors?
If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to get a screening each year, along with additional scans like a breast MRI or a breast ultrasound. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to determine a screening plan tailored to your specific risks.
Impact of your lifestyle on early detection and prevention
There are certain things you can do to support early detection, and to prevent breast cancer, based on your lifestyle. Let’s take a look at what you can do on a day-to-day basis to get better screening results, and to lower your risk for breast cancer.
What lifestyle choices can help me get a more effective breast cancer screening?
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for enhancing the effectiveness of your breast cancer screening. To make your breast cancer screening more effective, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising can positively impact your overall breast health. Limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking are also key steps, as they can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
How does my diet affect my breast cancer risk and detection rates?
Your diet can influence your breast cancer risk by affecting hormone levels and inflammation in the body. Diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, while diets high in processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol can increase your risk. Eating a balanced diet may also improve the effectiveness of screenings by supporting overall health, and reducing factors like obesity, which could make it harder to detect breast cancer.
What role does physical activity play in my breast health?
Physical activity plays a key role in maintaining breast health by helping to regulate hormones like estrogen, which can influence your breast cancer risk. Regular exercise also helps manage weight, reducing the risk of obesity, which is a factor in developing breast cancer. Staying active can also boost your overall health, which may enhance the effectiveness of screenings, and improve recovery outcomes if your provider finds breast cancer.
Talking about breast cancer with your healthcare provider
Conversations about cancer are never easy, but remember that your healthcare provider is there to guide you through the process, and to offer you the best healthcare options going forward. Here’s what to keep in mind when it’s time to discuss your breast cancer screening with your provider.
How can simply talking with my provider help to improve my early detection rate?
Your healthcare provider can provide you with the latest information on breast cancer and early detection screening, and simply talking to them can ease your mind, to help you feel that you are not alone. Remember that your family history of breast cancer and other cancers is important to discuss with your healthcare provider, as this information helps them understand your risk of breast cancer.
What questions should I ask about my screening options for breast health?
When it comes to screening options for breast health, here are some good questions to ask your healthcare provider:
- Based on my personal and family medical history, do you have any concerns about my risk for breast cancer?
- What are the benefits and risks associated with each screening method?
- Other than mammograms, are there alternative screening options available?
- How accurate are the screenings?
- What follow-up tests or procedures may I need after an abnormal result?
- Are there any lifestyle changes or risk reduction strategies that can help my breast health?
How to schedule an appointment with us
Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment.
With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region.
We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.
Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:
- Cherry Hill Office – Cherry Hill, NJ
- Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
- Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
- Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
- Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
- West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
- Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
- Women’s Center at Cross Keys – Sewell, NJ
- Women’s Center at Medford – Medford, NJ
- Women’s Center at Mount Laurel – Mount Laurel, NJ
- Women’s Center at Voorhees – Voorhees Township, NJ
Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular exercise helps reduce body fat, which can lower estrogen levels, and potentially reduce cancer risk.
Lowering body fat decreases estrogen and other hormone levels, reducing the risk of hormone-related cancers.
Exercise boosts the immune system’s efficiency, enhancing its ability to identify and eliminate cancerous cells.
Regular physical activity helps lower inflammation, which is linked to a decreased cancer risk.
Enhanced lymphatic circulation from exercise helps remove toxins and potentially cancerous cells from the body.
A healthy weight maintained through exercise reduces body fat and associated hormone levels that can drive breast cancer.
Combining exercise with regular imaging improves overall health and can lead to earlier detection of abnormalities.
Regular exercise can improve body composition, potentially leading to clearer and more accurate imaging results.