|
M. D. Anderson's Screening Guidelines
(Updated December 2006)
All women should be familiar with their breasts so that they will notice any changes and report them to their doctor without delay.
- Between ages 20 and 39 – Clinical breast exam (an examination of your breasts by your doctor) every one to three years.
- Age 40 and older – Yearly mammograms and clinical breast exams, continuing for as long as you are in good health. Try to schedule clinical breast exam at the time of regularly scheduled mammogram.
- Consider additional screening if you are at risk – Women at increased risk of breast cancer (e.g., family history, genetic predisposition, past breast cancer) should talk to their doctor about the benefits and limitations of starting mammograms earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI) or having more frequent exams.
M. D. Anderson does not recommend that women conduct a “formal” breast self-examination anymore, but instead recommends that women be familiar with their breasts. Read about why we made these changes, and learn more about M. D. Anderson's recommendations to help women reduce their risk of breast cancer.
More on Prevention & Screening
Genetics & Breast Cancer
For people with a family history of cancer, genetic testing can help assess their individual risk. Counseling is an important part of the genetic testing process. A genetic counselor can evaluate your personal and family history to determine if it merits testing for hereditary cancers. The counselor can also discuss the risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing, and help develop preventive strategies.
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes
There are many inherited genetic syndromes that significantly raise the risk of cancer in individuals and families who have them. M. D. Anderson provides genetic counseling, genetic testing and medical management for hereditary syndromes and the types of cancer associated with them:
| 
Personalized Medicine (June 2008)
Patient Power: 
