5 Things You Need to Know About Breast Cancer Screening
- Partner Medical
- Oct 11
- 2 min read
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s a great time to make sure you’re up to date on your screenings. Breast cancer remains one of the most common and important conditions we can detect early — and when caught early, it’s often very treatable. Here are five key things you should know:
1. Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women
It’s the most common cancer in females and the second leading cause of cancer-related death overall. The good news is that screening saves lives by catching breast cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
2. Most people fall into the “average risk” group
Only a small portion of women are considered high risk — typically those with certain genetic mutations (like BRCA1 or BRCA2), a history of chest radiation before age 30, or specific breast changes such as atypical hyperplasia. Your clinician can also use a risk calculator to estimate your lifetime risk — if it’s 20% or higher, you may qualify as high risk and benefit from earlier or more frequent screening.
3. Screening usually starts at age 45
For most women, mammograms should begin at age 45 and be repeated every other year. However, you can choose to start as early as 40 if you prefer to be proactive — and that’s a decision worth discussing with your clinician.
4. Mammograms are the mainstay of screening
A screening mammogram is for anyone without breast symptoms and is designed to look for early signs of cancer. If you have a lump, nipple discharge, or other breast changes, a diagnostic mammogram is more appropriate. Ultrasound or MRI are usually reserved for follow-up testing or for those at higher risk.
5. Early detection makes all the difference
Women between ages 40 and 69 who participate in screening have about a 60% lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those who don’t. That’s a powerful reminder of why keeping up with your mammograms truly matters.
If you’re due for a screening — or aren’t sure when your last mammogram was — talk to your primary care provider.
At Partner Medical, we can help you review your risk factors and connect you with trusted imaging centers for breast cancer screening.
Your health is worth it — and so are you.
