Some people will debate whether too much of a good thing is a good thing. We say yes – it’s especially a good thing when talking about screening for high risk breast cancer. It is recommended that women who are at high risk for breast cancer screen earlier and more often than women with a normal breast cancer risk. For those women with a high breast cancer risk, when should you begin screening?
What Makes a Woman High Risk for Breast Cancer?
Below are some of the factors that are associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer:
- Having the BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutation and first-degree relatives who are parents, siblings, and children with the mutation.
- Having a personal history of invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ. (DCIS is a condition affecting the cells of milk ducts in the breast. The cells lining the ducts become malignant but stay in place. It is an early form of breast cancer.)
- Having a personal history of lobular carcinoma or atypical hyperplasia (atypical In consultation with Dr. Swing, you may also be advised to get an MRI or breast ultrasound every year.
- hyperplasia is a condition of precancerous cells. It isn’t cancer, but it increases risk.)
- Having radiation treatment to the chest between the ages of 10 through 30.
- Having a greater than 20% lifetime risk of invasive cancer based mainly on a risk assessment score. One example is the Tyrer-Cuzick score which assesses a woman’s 10 year risk and is calculated based on age, height, weight, breast density, history and results of breast biopsies, personal history of breast or ovarian cancer, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, history of hormone use, Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, age when a woman had her first menstrual period, age when a woman first gave birth (if applicable), age at menopause (if applicable), and age at cancer diagnosis (if applicable).
If you have any of these risk factors, consult with our board-certified OBGYN, Dr. Katherine Swing to discuss your risk and to help you make a screening plan. Call our OBGYN clinic in Metairie, LA today at (504) 582-9010.
What Are the Current Screening Guidelines?
Several medical organizations make recommendations regarding screening, but they do not all agree on the best screening guidelines.
In general, women at average risk are now advised to begin screening at age 40, instead of 50. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends routine annual mammograms beginning at age 40 as well as continued use of clinical breast examinations to screen for breast cancer. For average risk women, the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) strongly recommends regular screening mammography starting at age 45 years. Additionally, NAMS states mammograms may be performed: annually in women aged 45 to 54, biennially beginning at age 55, and at age 40 to 44 years based on patient request. Furthermore, NAMS recommends screening mammography should be continued as long as a woman is in good health and has a life expectancy of at least 10 years.
In consultation with Dr. Swing, you may also be advised to get a diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound or breast MRI if you are at high risk for breast cancer. Contact our board-certified OBGYN, Dr. Katherine Swing at (504) 582-9010 to get screened for breast cancer in Metairie, LA.
