Health professionals continue to debate the recommended time frame that women (especially those aged 40 and up) should have breast exams and mammograms. Although each woman's medical situation differs, the time of the month any woman should have a breast exam remains pretty consistent.
Importance of Exams
Early detection plays a vital role in breast cancer treatment and survival rates, and making sure you have your exam at the right time of the month facilitates proper analysis and diagnosis.
Although the American Cancer Society and other medical organizations no longer stress doing a monthly self exam, they advise that those exams may help detect physical changes that should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends against self exams and routine mammogram screenings for women aged 40 to 49 and promotes biennial mammograms for women starting at age 50. But the American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual screenings for women aged 40 and up. If you do a self exam, consult your physician on the correct method.
Talk with your physician about when to have clinical exams (which involve a trained medical professional looking at and feeling your breasts) and mammograms, as your own medical condition and family history may dictate the frequency.
Exams During Childbearing Years
When preparing to do a self exam or have a clinical exam, keep in mind the time of the month, as it may affect interpretations and readings.
If you are menstruating, wait a few days to a week after your period ends to have the exam. During that time of the month, your hormones change, and your breasts may appear lumpy or swollen. Before getting an exam, give your breasts a chance to get back to a more normal state.
If you are pregnant, continue self exams and have monthly clinical exams. If you breastfeed, do the exam after feeding your baby. If you are using oral contraceptives, have your exam on the day you start a new pills package.
Exams After Menopause
After menopause, you do not have to worry as much about a particular date to get a clinical exam. For self exams, choose the same date on a monthly basis (or whatever your frequency of self-exams). If you have regular clinical exams and mammograms, try to schedule your appointments on or around the same date.
Tags: clinical exams, self exam, self exams, your breasts, American Cancer, American Cancer Society, Cancer Society
