Your Guide to Breast Cancer Detection: When and How to Take Action

Taking control of your breast health begins with knowing what to check for. Just by exploring this article, we know you take your health seriously—so you don’t need to hear the statistics about how breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide or how it affects millions of individuals each year. You want to know how you can take control of your health. And when to seek a second opinion.

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4 things you can do right now if you’re worried about breast cancer

There are several ways to detect breast cancer, ranging from self-examinations to medical screenings. Understanding and utilizing these methods regularly can significantly improve early detection rates.

1. Breast self-examination

Breast self-exams are an accessible and easy way to monitor changes in your breasts. While self-exams are not a definitive diagnostic tool, they can help you become familiar with your normal breast tissue and pick up any abnormalities early. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the median age of breast cancer diagnosis is 62. Yet many experts recommend that women begin self-examination in their 20s.

How to perform a breast self-exam

• Visual inspection
  Stand in front of a mirror with your shoulders straight and arms at your sides. Look for any changes in size, shape, or symmetry. It’s helpful to check for dimpling, puckering, or nipple inversion.
• Raise arms
  Lift your arms and check for the same changes.
• Reposition yourself
  
  Manual check while standing
  Use your right hand to examine your left breast and vice versa. Use the pads of your fingers to apply light, medium, and firm pressure in a circular motion.
  
  Manual check while lying down
  Lie down and repeat the manual check. This position helps spread the breast tissue evenly.

2. Clinical breast examination (CBE)

A clinical breast examination is performed by a healthcare professional who examines the breasts for lumps or abnormalities.  While a CBE may be indicated in certain situations, it is not universally recommended for routine breast cancer screening. Guidelines vary, and the decision to include a CBE as part of a clinical evaluation should be made with your healthcare provider. If you have a lump, pain, or any other breast concern, a clinical breast exam is very important for further evaluation.

3. Mammography

Mammograms are X-ray images of the breast that can detect cancerous changes before they become palpable. Screening mammograms have demonstrated the ability to reduce breast cancer death by 22%, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While a healthcare professional can determine if it is right for you based on your individual risk factors, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends:

• Women aged 40-49: Discuss screening with a doctor based on individual risk factors.
• Women aged 50-74: Get a mammogram every two years.
• High-risk individuals: May need annual mammograms and supplemental imaging such as MRI.

4. Breast MRI and ultrasound

• MRI or magnetic resonance imaging: Recommended for high-risk individuals, such as those with breast cancer susceptibility (BRCA) mutations.
• Ultrasound: Often used to evaluate suspicious lumps found in mammograms or clinical exams.

Checking for breast cancer is not necessarily a one-and-done process. Whether you conducted a self-exam and didn’t feel anything abnormal or you heard what you wanted after a mammogram, you still may not feel entirely confident that you are cancer-free. And that’s okay. Trust your instincts. Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion.

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Second opinions save lives.

When Peloton instructor Leanne Hainsby, 35, noticed a lump in her breast, her doctor initially thought the lump was a hormonal cyst and told her not to worry. Upon receiving a second opinion, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She is now in remission and back on the Peloton bike, helping others cycle their way to healthier lives.

When someone is younger than the recommended age for regular screenings, it can be easy to feel confident because breast cancer is uncommon among younger women. Yet, in the case of Hainsby, it was critical to advocate for additional information.

"Younger women with breast cancer often face unique challenges, including more aggressive tumor biology and psychosocial impacts,” noted Dr. Ann Partridge in her study "Breast Cancer in Younger Women: Epidemiology, Treatment, and Survival," published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. “It's imperative to develop age-specific treatment strategies and support systems to improve their quality of life and outcomes."

🎧  Listen to Dr. Partridge share more about her approach to breast cancer treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Checking for breast cancer should be an essential part of every individual’s health routine, even when age is not a contributing risk factor.

📖  Read more about breast cancer risk factors.

Incorporating self-examinations, clinical exams, and regular mammograms can increase the likelihood of detecting breast cancer early when it is most treatable. Stay proactive about your health and encourage others to do the same—because early detection saves lives.

📖  Read more about the value of early detection.

Detecting breast cancer early significantly improves survival rates. The five-year relative survival rate for localized breast cancer is 99%, compared to only 32% for breast cancer that has metastasized, according to the American Cancer Society’s 2024-2025 roundup of Breast Cancer Facts & Figures. Regular screenings, awareness of personal risk factors, and self-examinations can all contribute to early diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.

If you have any additional questions, don’t be afraid to reach out. We, at Defiant Health, are here to help you navigate any worries, concerns, or questions you might have and help identify the right next step for you.