Breast cancer

Breast cancer is cancer of breast tissue. Worldwide, it is the most common form of cancer in females, affecting approximately 10% of all women at some stage of their life in the Western world. Although significant efforts are made to achieve early detection and effective treatment, about 20% of all women with breast cancer will die from the disease, and it is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in women.

Screening

Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among older women, screening is now recommended in many countries. Screening methods suggested include breast self-examination and mammography. Only mammography has been proven to reduce mortality from breast cancer. In some countries routine (annual) mammography of older women is encouraged as a screening method to diagnose early breast cancer.

Related Topics:
Breast self-examination - Mammography

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Mammography is still the modality of choice for screening of early breast cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to detect cancers that are not visible on mammograms, but it has several disadvantages. For example, although it is more sensitive, it is less specific than mammography. It is also a relatively expensive procedure, and one which requires the injection of a chemical agent to be effective. It may be valuable for younger women, whose breasts contain less fat and more connective tissue, making it harder to spot cancers on mammograms. Ultrasound alone is not adequate as a screening tool but it is a useful additional investigation, especially for the characterisation of benign tumours.

Related Topics:
Magnetic resonance imaging - Ultrasound

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The U.S. National Cancer Institute recommends screening mammography with a baseline mammogram at age 35, mammograms every two years beginning at age 40, and then annual mammograms beginning at age 50. In the UK women are invited to attend for screening once every three years beginning at age 50. Women with a family history of breast cancer should start screening mammography at an earlier age, and it is usually suggested to start screening at an age that is 10 years less than the age at which a relative was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Breast cancers detected by mammography are usually smaller than those detected clinically, and women who undergo mammography are more likely to be eligible for breast-conserving therapy.

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