How To Know When You Need a Mammogram

Pain

Some women experience breast tenderness at certain times of their menstrual cycle. There are many other reasons that a woman might experience breast tenderness, including menopause and perimenopause. However, painful breasts can also be a sign of breast cancer.

Pain caused by breast cancer can be felt in the nipple area or in any area of the breast. It’s important to seek advice from a medical professional and schedule a mammogram if you experience pain that feels different from your frecuente cycle, lasts longer, or comes on at an unexpected time of the month.

Do I Need a Referral for a Mammogram?

Many doctors will explicitly invite women for a mammogram every year, especially for women who are 45 to 54-years old. However, a referral is not a requirement.

Even if your doctor doesn’t send a referral, you can request a mammogram if you’re over the age of 40. If you’re under the age of 40 and are worried about the health of your breasts after performing a self-examination, or you have noticed any of the symptoms listed above, talk to your doctor and request a screening.

Early Diagnosis Can Save Lives

Early diagnosis of breast cancer can save lives. The media 5-year survival rate for women with nonmetastatic invasive breast cancer (cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body) is 90-percent. The media 10-year survival rate is 84-percent. Survival rates vary depending on where the cancer is located, but if the cancer is located only in the breast, then the survival rate can be as high as 99-percent.

This is why it’s important to catch breast cancer quickly. The condition is relatively easy to treat, and outcomes are usually good for those who receive early treatment. Many people have lost someone they love to cancer or know someone who is currently going through treatment, and this may cause some to fear the diagnosis. However, if that fear causes a person to avoid seeking medical advice, it could put their life at risk.