Breast Cancer Check- Memography TestImage Credit Source: Getty Images
Breast Cancer screening: Breast cancer is one of the fastest growing diseases in women today. If it is investigated on time, then its treatment is possible and life can be saved. Therefore, it is important that women keep on checking breast health regularly, especially after 40 years of age or if someone in the family has breast cancer. Let us know which tests are done to check breast cancer and which women must do this.
Women who are 40 years or older, should regularly examine breast cancer as the risk of cancer increases after this age. If a woman in the family has got breast cancer before – like mother, sister, aunt or grandmother, then this danger may increase even more. This investigation is also necessary for women who have more hormonal changes, whose first delivery is done after the age of 30 or who did not become a mother. Apart from this, women who have gene mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2, which are struggling with obesity, smoking or excessive stress, should also periodically check their breast health.
Test required for checking breast cancer
Dr. Saloni Chadha of Women’s Disease Department has told about this in Safdarjung Hospital
Mamography (Mammography)
This is the most common and effective investigation. Breast X-rays are taken in it, which reveals lumps or unusual changes. After the age of 40, every woman should have a mamography every year. If there is a history of breast cancer in a woman’s family, then this investigation should be started from the age of 35 years.
Clinical breast examination (Clinical Breast Exam)
The doctors do this exam, in which they feel the lumps of breast and underarm by hand. This must be done once a year after the age of 25 years.
Breast ultrasound (Ultrasound)
This investigation is done when there is a disturbance in the memography or the breast tissue is very dens. This is especially beneficial for young women.
MRI (Breast MRI)
This investigation is done for women of high-risk group. Women who have gene mutations (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2) should be done along with mamography.
Biopsy (Biopsy)
If a situation of lump or doubt is seen in a investigation, then a small sample of that tissue is taken biopsy. It decides whether the lump is of cancer or not.
When is the initial identity of breast cancer-
Some special symptoms should not be ignored for the early identity of breast cancer. If there is a lump in the breast which is hard and growing slowly, then it can be a serious sign. Even if there is no pain in it. Sometimes blood comes out of the breast or any kind of unusual discharge, which can be another symptom of the disease. In addition, the sudden turn of the breast inward, its size or change in the position can also cause concern. Instead of taking any such change lightly, the doctor should be contacted immediately, because the disease can be controlled by the initial identity and treatment of breast cancer.