Breast Cancer Screening & Early Detection

The most common tests to detect breast cancer are screening mammograms and clinical breast exams. Screening tests are used to find breast cancer in people with no warning signs or symptoms. 

What is a screening mammogram?
A screening mammogram is a test that uses X-rays to create images of the breast. It’s the most effective screening test used today to find breast cancer. Screening mammograms can find breast cancer early, before it can be felt by you or your doctor.

What is a clinical breast exam?
A clinical breast exam is a physical exam of your breasts by a doctor to look and feel for anything abnormal.

When does Komen recommend getting breast cancer screening?

Breast cancer screening for women

• Talk with a doctor about which screening tests are right for you. 
• Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you’re at average risk.*
• Have a clinical breast exam at least every three years starting at age 25, and every year starting at age 40.*

Talk with your doctor about your risk of breast cancer. If you’re at higher risk, you may need to be screened earlier and more often than women at average risk.

Some women at higher risk may have a breast MRI recommended as part of breast cancer screening.

*Per National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines

Breast cancer screening for men at higher risk

• If you’re a man and have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 inherited gene mutation, there are special screening recommendations for breast cancer and certain other cancers.

Breast cancer screening for transgender people

• If you’re transgender, breast cancer screening recommendations are personalized and vary by age, sex assigned at birth, personal risk of breast cancer and other factors.

What should you expect on the day of your screening mammogram?
Getting a screening mammogram takes about 15 minutes. Wear a shirt you can remove easily. Avoid using deodorant, perfume, powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts. These products can show up on a mammogram and make it hard to read.

Are screening mammograms painful? 
You may feel some pressure, but getting a mammogram shouldn’t be painful. Tell the technologist if you have any concerns or if you feel discomfort during the test.

When should you expect the results of your screening mammogram? 
You should get the results of your screening mammogram from the imaging center or your doctor within 2 weeks. If you don’t, call your doctor.

What are the possible findings on a mammogram?
A screening mammogram may show:

• No sign of breast cancer.
• A benign (not cancerous) condition.
• An abnormal finding, such as calcifications, that needs follow-up tests to rule out cancer.

A mammogram also shows if you have dense breasts.

For most women, the results of a mammogram will show no signs of breast cancer. If your mammogram does show something abnormal, you’ll need follow-up tests to check whether or not the finding is breast cancer. These abnormal findings are common and are usually not cancer. Sometimes, breast cancer can be ruled out with a follow-up test, such as a diagnostic mammogram or a breast ultrasound.

Watch our video of Komen Scholar Dr. Mariana Chavez MacGregor who talks about what to expect if you’re called back for more tests and why it’s important to get the needed follow-up tests.

Diagnostic mammogram
A diagnostic mammogram is like a screening mammogram, but more images of the breast are taken to examine the abnormal findings more closely. You may get the results from your diagnostic mammogram on the same day. 

Breast ultrasound
A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make images of the breast. It’s often used as a follow-up test after an abnormal finding on a mammogram or clinical breast exam. It can show the difference between a liquid-filled cyst and a solid mass. 

Biopsy
If follow-up tests cannot rule out breast cancer, a biopsy is done. A biopsy removes cells or tissue to check for cancer. A biopsy is the only test that can diagnose and confirm breast cancer.