Mammography helps detect early, and often curable breast cancer. At present, being the gold standard^[1], mammography has revolutionized the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Is self-breast-examination, with no cost incurred, a better way to regularly screen yourself?

Most medical authorities across the world do not recommend self-breast-examination^[2] alone because by the time the lump is big enough for you or your doctor to feel, it’s too late in most cases.

The breast cancer by then is often advanced, and spread to the other parts of the body.

Breast cancer in advanced stages increases patient suffering due to the side effects of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It also adds the mental agony and great financial burden to the patient and her family.

How does Mammography help?

Based on screening efficacy for early detection, the doctors and medical organizations across the world recommend annual mammogram to all average risk women above the age of 40 years, and for high-risk women (with family history, genetic mutations-BRCA1 & BRCA2, etc.) above the age of 30 years.

How does early detection save you from unnecessary medical expenses?

• According to WHO studies^[3], treatment cost for cancer patients diagnosed early are two to four times less expensivecompared to treating people diagnosed with cancer at more advanced stages.
• Screening mammography performed annually on all women beginning at age 40 years has reduced breast cancer deaths by 30% to 50%^[4].
• Early detection may also qualify you for less invasive treatment options. For example, in early breast cancers, chemotherapy may get completely avoided along with its costs and side effects.
• Every year screening mammography may help save 30% to over 100% of the treatment cost of breast cancer compared to the women who don’t screen themselves.^[5]
• Just like a car insurance that you buy every year to minimize a probable expense against an accident that may never happen, a small investment in annual mammography examination not only saves lives, but also, the expense associated with its treatment and follow up. Also, this might save immense stress to your loved ones, which is a priceless benefit if you agree!

So, what can you do 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), subscribe to an Annual Screening Mammography plan – A simple ritual that can save your life!

1. https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/features/mammography-still-gold-standard-for-breast-cancer Published 8 March 2001. Accessed 7 March 2022.
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/breast-exam/about/pac-20393237 Published 9 June 2020… Accessed 7 March 2022.
3. https://www.who.int/news/item/03-02-2017-early-cancer-diagnosis-saves-lives-cuts-treatment-costs Published 3 February 2017. Accessed 7 March 2022.
4. Feig S. Comparison of costs and benefits of breast cancer screening with mammography, ultrasonography, and MRI. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2011 Mar;38(1):179-96, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2011.02.009. PMID: 21419333. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21419333/
5. Feig S. Comparison of costs and benefits of breast cancer screening with mammography, ultrasonography, and MRI. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2011 Mar;38(1):179-96, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2011.02.009. PMID: 21419333. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21419333/