Does Self-examination Really Detect Breast Cancer Early?
Does Self-examination Really Detect Breast Cancer Early?
Dr. Varsha Hardas, Senior Consultant and in-charge Breast Imaging,
Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune
Did you know that self-examination does not help the early detection of breast cancer?
Let’s understand why. Just like many cancers, breast cancer begins as one bad cell, which then divides into two bad cells, which divide again and become four bad cells, and so on.
Breast cancer has to divide 30 times before it can be felt by hand[1]. With most breast cancers, each division takes one to two months. So, by the time you can feel the lump or another symptom, the cancer is already two to five years old and far more dangerous.
What is the reliable way to detect breast cancer early?
First of all, no one can prevent breast cancer and the early detection is the best protection against it.
A reliable way for early detection is to get yourself regularly screened with mammogram if eligible. Mammography has been declared as the best screening technique for early detection of breast cancer by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) USA[2], and many other world authorities.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a medical image of the breast tissue captured by a mammography equipment using low-dose X-ray that is not harmful to you. Mammograms help Doctors to detect breast cancer at very early stage. Sometimes up to three to five years before it can be felt with trained self-examination. Also, you do not need a Doctor prescription to undergo mammogram. You can call a hospital or a diagnostic center near you with mammography facility and book a test for yourself. Make sure that they are equipped with good mammography units, trained technologists, and breast radiologist.
Early diagnosis of breast cancer dramatically improves the chances of complete cure and disease-free survival with 93% or higher survival rates in the first five years[3].
What action can you take today?
If you are eligible for breast screening either by age (40 years and above), or due to high-risk factors such as family history (in which case even if you are younger than 40 years), talk to your Doctor today about an Annual Mammography Screening plan – A simple ritual that can save your life!
Dr. Varsha Hardas,
Senior Consultant and in-charge Breast Imaging,
Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune
- https://oregon.providence.org/forms-and-information/a/ask-an-expert-breast-cancer-growth-rate/
- https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm
- https://www.carolmilgardbreastcenter.org/early-detection