Denise Bradley remembers the moment as if it was yesterday. She was changing clothes when she felt a lump in her left breast. It seemingly appeared out of nowhere. “It was screaming at me, and it hurt,” she says.
When Bradley was 42, mammograms were not recommended until the age of 50. She had not yet had her first mammogram, but she knew this was something she needed to have checked out. Her doctor didn’t think it was anything to worry about. However, he scheduled her for a mammogram just to be safe.
The mammogram probably saved her life. It identified an aggressive, malignant tumor.
“You initially think you are going to die. I wondered, who will take care of my three daughters? Will my husband remarry? Will the new wife be good to my kids?”
Detecting Breast Cancer Early
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 317,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025 alone.
That number includes almost 24,000 Texas women. Some women, like Bradley, will find a lump or experience another symptom, leading to an eventual diagnosis.
For many others, however, breast cancer can be silent — meaning it doesn’t show any noticeable signs before it’s diagnosed. That’s why regular screenings are so important.
Breast Cancer Screenings
For many years, information about mammograms and when to begin having them was confusing. Some organizations recommended beginning mammograms at age 40, while some suggested waiting until age 50.
Age 40 is now the standard. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which guides insurance coverage, recommends women at average risk of breast cancer have their first mammogram at age 40. This puts them in line with the American College of Radiology, which recommends annual mammograms beginning at age 40.
Your OB/GYN or another women’s health provider can help you determine a breast cancer screening regimen that will work best for you. Women who are at higher risk of developing breast cancer may need to begin earlier or have additional screening tests along with a mammogram.
Dr. Sarah Ortiz, the lead radiologist for breast imaging at University Health, says you should talk to your physician about earlier screenings if your mother, sister or daughter had breast cancer. You should also be screened at a young age if you have a genetic mutation that predisposes you to cancer or you have been exposed to specific types of radiation.
What Is a Mammogram?
Many women fear the unknown of having their first mammogram. Knowing what to expect from a screening mammogram can be helpful.
You may have had an X-ray before — if you had a broken bone, for example. A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. During your appointment, a technologist will position your breast on a support plate, then capture images of the breast tissue from multiple angles. This process can be slightly uncomfortable while the breast is compressed.
A radiologist will then review the images, looking for any potential abnormalities in the breast tissue and report the findings to your medical provider.
If anything suspicious is found on your mammogram, you may need to have a follow-up mammogram (also called a diagnostic mammogram) to capture additional images of the breast or have other types of tests, such as breast MRI, ultrasound or a biopsy.
What About Breast Self-Exams?
In the past, you may have seen recommendations that women perform regular breast self-exams, or BSEs. There’s no longer a formal guideline for self-exams, but it’s still important for women to familiarize themselves with their breast tissue so they know what’s normal for them and what’s not.
Dr. Ortiz urges all women, regardless of age, to practice “breast health awareness.” That can include taking a good look at your breasts every so often and using the pads of your three middle fingers to feel the tissue.
“When you are in the shower or taking a bath, notice if you feel something different. Pay attention. Don’t ignore it,” Dr. Ortiz says.
Early Screenings Lead to Good Outcomes
As recently as a few decades ago, a breast cancer diagnosis often seemed hopeless. While breast cancer still claims the lives of thousands of women each year, it’s much less deadly today than in the past.
In fact, breast cancer mortality rates decreased by 44% between 1989 and 2022. That’s thanks in great part to regular screenings and early detection.
Being diagnosed in an early stage, when cancer is most treatable, can make a big difference. The five-year survival rate for early-stage breast cancer, which is localized only within the breasts, is higher than 99%.
Know Your Personal Risk
Getting regular mammograms beginning at age 40 can help you protect your health.
Wondering whether you need to start screening at an earlier age? Knowing your risk factors is important.
Factors that increase your risk of developing breast cancer include:
- Being age 55 or older
- Being Caucasian
- Having a personal history of breast cancer or certain other breast conditions
- Having a family history of breast or ovarian cancer
- Having certain genetic mutations, including BRCA1 or BRCA2
- Having dense breast tissue
- Having your first period before age 12 or your last period after age 55
- Not having children or having your first child at an older age
Along with the risk factors above, which you can’t change, there are also some modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, including being physically inactive, eating an unhealthy diet, being overweight or obese, and drinking alcohol excessively.
If you have risk factors for breast cancer, talk with a medical provider about whether you should start having breast cancer screenings earlier than age 40.
Know the Breast Cancer Symptoms
Routine breast cancer screenings catch many cases of breast cancer, but it’s also important to keep an eye on your body. Know your breast tissue and check in with a medical provider if you experience anything that seems outside of your norm.
Breast cancer symptoms include:
- A discharge other than breast milk
- A lump or swelling
- Changes in the size or shape of the breast
- Nipple pain or the nipple turning inward
- Redness or scaly nipples or breast skin
- Skin irritation or dimpling
Paying attention to your body and advocating for yourself can make all the difference.
For Bradley, fighting breast cancer took a toll, but there is a lot to celebrate.
She decided to have a bilateral mastectomy along with reconstructive surgery. Her message to women: get annual mammograms, pay attention to your body and don’t let fear keep you from getting needed care.
“Feel confident in knowing that if you find something, there are targeted treatments backed by a lot of research,” Bradley says.
Mobile Mammograms With University Health
Regular mammograms are an important tool in preventing breast cancer and treating it in its earliest stages.
University Health is bringing mammograms to you. Schedule an appointment for our mobile mammogram screening services through our healthyUexpress mobile mammograph bus.
