This blog is written by our clinicians and aims to keep patients informed with up to date information on medical conditions.
Breast Cancer Screening
![Breast Cancer Screening](https://rocprivateclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Breast-Cancer-Screening-1024x576.png)
October is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month in UK.
- With increasingly more women enquiring about breast cancer screening, where do doctors stand?
- Should we or should we not offer early breast cancer screening?
- Is evidence and assessing the pros and cons of an early mammogram enough to deter a younger woman who wishes to ensure she does not have breast cancer, or that breast cancer is detected early?
Current Screening Programmes
NHS Breast Cancer Screening traditionally has started at the age of 50 and has been undertaken until a woman turned 70. However the NHS is currently rolling an extension programme with breast cancer screening starting at the age of 47 until the age of 73. With most breast cancers being sporadic and not associated with a family history, should we offer women breast cancer screening at an earlier age? It is generally accepted that offering breast screening every 12-18 months to women from the age of 40 is correct practice for those who wish to be proactive and are able to support the associated costs. The potential benefit from early cancer screening is considered to outweigh the small risk from radiation exposure that occurs with each mammogram.Investigations Being Used In Breast Cancer Screening
Digital Mammography with computer-aided detection is currently considered the gold standard in breast cancer screening. They are proven to be better at picking up breast cancers in women with high breast density that a traditional film mammography. A 3D Mammography is a type of digital mammogram also called Breast Tomosynthesis. The radiation dose is slightly higher than a 2D Mammography. This is available at private clinics across UK, although the precise advantages have not been made entirely clear to date. Is currently seen as another tool in identifying breast cancers. Many women in our clinics enquire about breast MRI. The value of breast MRI in detecting cancers remains uncertain at present, with some doctor advocating that MRI is better at picking up abnormal breast tissue than the mammography. However due to reduced availability of breast MRI and higher associated costs, breast MRI tends to be reserved currently for situations such as:- Second line assessment of abnormal breast findings
- Investigating a woman who has a palpable abnormality but mammogram and/ or ultrasound is normal
- Evaluation of high density breasts
- Evaluation of the breast tissue in women with silicone breast implants
- Evaluation of a cancer spread