When to Check for Breast Cancer: Screenings & Tests

In our first article, ‘When to Check for Breast Cancer,’ we explored common causes of breast cancer, along with early signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of the disease. We also talked about how early detection plays a crucial role in improving survival rates and treatment effectiveness. Now we’ll highlight a multitude of the most widely used ways that people all over the world use to formally assess whether or not they have this disease: breast cancer screenings and tests.

The Importance of Breast Cancer Screenings and Tests

Routine breast cancer screenings and tests are designed to detect cancer early, often before symptoms appear. This proactive approach allows for earlier intervention, increasing the chances of successful treatment and reducing mortality rates. Medical professionals recommend that individuals, especially those over 40 or with a family history of breast cancer, undergo regular screenings to monitor breast health.

Screenings differ from diagnostic tests, which are conducted when there is a specific concern such as a lump or other symptoms of breast cancer. While screenings are performed on healthy individuals to catch potential problems early, diagnostic breast cancer tests confirm whether detected abnormalities are cancerous.

Understanding the available breast cancer screenings and breast cancer tests empowers individuals to take charge of their health, helping them make informed decisions about prevention, early detection, and treatment. That said, we understand that time is always at a premium, regardless of circumstances, so we’re also including vital information as to how long each breast cancer screening or test usually takes. To further put the minds of the readers at ease, we will also include how long a person has to wait for the results of each on average.

When and How Often Should You Get Checked for Breast Cancer?

As a quick disclaimer, please keep in mind that when it comes to breast cancer screening or breast cancer tests, regular sessions can be highly beneficial. An annual mammogram would usually suffice, but there are a number of high-risk traits that should be monitored::

• Age Range: Women over 40 should have annual mammograms; those with a family history should consult a doctor about starting earlier.
• Unusual Symptoms: If you notice lumps, changes in breast shape, persistent pain, nipple discharge, or skin abnormalities, seek immediate evaluation.
• Genetic or Familial Predisposition: If you carry BRCA1/BRCA2 gene mutations or have a history of radiation exposure, your doctor may recommend MRI scans or additional tests.

If someone falls into any of these categories—or those mentioned in the previous article—they should consider getting checked twice or even three times a year. For supplementary security, a second opinion breast cancer screening can be sought after.

Common Breast Cancer Screening Methods

Breast cancer screenings are preventive health checks aimed at detecting cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. Unlike stronger breast cancer tests or biopsies, breast cancer screenings are either non-invasive or minimally invasive.

1. Mammograms

A mammogram is an X-ray imaging test used to detect abnormalities in breast tissue. Though radiation can be a potential cause of breast cancer itself, mammograms only use low-dose x-rays in their procedures. Its accuracy and efficiency make it one of the most widely used breast cancer screening methods.

• How Long Does a Mammogram Take: 20–30 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Mammogram Results: A few days to two weeks.
• Mammogram Pros: High accuracy in detecting early breast cancer; widely available; covered by most insurance plans.
• Mammogram Cons: Slight discomfort during the procedure; potential for false positives requiring additional tests.

2. Clinical Breast Exam (CBE)

Resembles what a person can do at home but with a more expert eye and feel. During a Clinical Breast Exam, a healthcare provider manually examines the breasts and underarm area for lumps, texture changes, or other abnormalities. This exam can also be taken alongside a mammogram if a medical centre has such a package in its offerings.

• How Long Does a Clinical Breast Exam Take: 10–15 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Clinical Breast Exam Results: Immediate.
• Clinical Breast Exam Pros: Non-invasive. No radiation exposure. CBEs can be done during a routine check-up.
• Clinical Breast Exam Cons: Less effective than imaging breast cancer tests in detecting small or deep-seated tumors. Its comprehensiveness is largely dependent on examiner skill.

3. Breast Self-Exam (BSE)

A self-conducted examination where individuals check their breasts for lumps, texture changes, or other warning signs using their fingers to assess the upper outer quadrant, nipples, lower breast, collarbone, and underarm areas of their torsos.

• How Long Do Breast Self-Exams Take: 5–10 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Breast Self-Exam Results: Immediate.
• Pros: No cost. It’s capable of detecting noticeable changes, and it can encourage breast health awareness.
• Cons: Not a substitute for professional screenings, so there’s a higher risk of false alarms or overlooked issues. The American Cancer Society does not condone solely relying on BSEs as a metric for one’s breast health.

Advanced Breast Cancer Tests

If a screening reveals abnormalities, or if a person is wary of their negative results for whatever reason, further breast cancer tests can be pursued to determine whether cancer is present and to assess its severity. These tests provide more detailed imaging and tissue analysis.

4. Diagnostic Mammogram

A more detailed X-ray imaging procedure than a standard mammogram. Diagnostic Mammograms are typically ordered when suspicious findings appear in a routine screening.

• How Long Do Diagnostic Mammograms Take: 30–45 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Diagnostic Mammogram Results: A few days to a week.
• Diagnostic Mammogram Pros: More detailed imaging than a regular mammogram. Consequently, it is more useful for assessing lumps or abnormalities.
• Diagnostic Mammogram Cons: May require additional imaging tests or a subsequent biopsy. Like with regular mammograms, the procedure can cause mild discomfort.

5. Ultrasound

A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the breast tissue. These readings are used to differentiate between solid lumps (tumors) and fluid-filled cysts.

• How Long Do Ultrasounds Take: 15–30 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Ultrasound Results: Immediate to a few days.
• Ultrasound Pros: No radiation exposure. The reverberations are useful for analyzing the cases of younger women who have denser breast tissue than those who are middle-aged and up. Ultrasound findings can differentiate between tumors and benign cysts.
• Ultrasound Cons: May not detect microcalcifications – tiny calcium deposits that can indicate cancer.

6. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Though not exclusively used as a breast cancer test, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides highly detailed images of breast tissue through the use of concentrated radio and magnetic waves. It’s primarily utilized for high-risk individuals or further investigation of abnormal findings.

• How Long Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Take: 30–60 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Results: A few days to a week.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Pros: Extremely detailed imaging; useful for high-risk patients or dense breast tissue.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Cons: Expensive; may require contrast dye injection; possible false positives leading to unnecessary biopsies. Larger patients may find the confines of an MRI machine too claustrophobic. If a patient has any metal in their person (particularly pacemakers not suited for MRI), it is risky use this method unless it is secured, as the magnetic waves can cause that metal to heat up and even move erratically, leading to severe internal damage. 

7. PET Scan

A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan detects cancer by analyzing how tissues absorb radioactive sugar, which cancer cells consume at a higher rate than normal cells.

• How Long Does a PET Scan Take: 60–90 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for PET Scan Results: A few days.
• PET Scan Pros: A PET scan is primarily used for staging advanced breast cancer and detecting metastasis. Unlike mammograms and MRIs, which focus on structural imaging, PET scans assess metabolic activity, helping to distinguish between active cancer cells and normal tissue.
• PET Scan Cons: Radiation exposure. PET scans are also quite expensive if not covered by a patient’s insurance.

Breast Cancer Biopsy Procedures

A more invasive series of breast cancer tests. When imaging or other data suggest potential malignancy, a biopsy is performed to collect and analyze breast tissue samples.

8. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy

A thin needle extracts a small sample of fluid or cells from a suspicious area for examination.

• How Long Does a Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: 10–15 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Results: A few days.
• Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Pros: Minimally invasive compared to other biopsies. Thus, the post-procedure recovery time is shorter.
• Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Cons: Despite being more invasive than previously mentioned breast cancer tests, an FNA may still not provide enough tissue for a conclusive diagnosis.

9. Core Needle Biopsy

A larger needle is used to extract a tissue sample from a lump or abnormal area.

• How Long Does a Core Needly Biopsy Take: 15–30 minutes.
• How Long is the Wait for Core Needle Biopsy Results: A few days to a week.
• Core Needle Biopsy Pros: Provides a more accurate diagnosis than an FNA.
• Core Needle Biopsy Cons: More discomfort than an FNA. Minor bruising or swelling may persist for a short time.

10. Surgical (Excisional) Biopsy

A minor surgical procedure that removes a larger portion of the suspicious tissue or even the entire lump for analysis.

• How Long Does a Surgical Biopsy Take: 30–60 minutes (outpatient).
• How Long is the Wait for Surgical Biopsy Results: A week or more.
• Surgical Biopsy Pros: This is the most accurate biopsy method. Surgical Biopsies allow for complete removal of small tumors.
• Surgical Biopsy Cons: Requires local or general anesthesia. It also has a much longer recovery period than the other biopsies. As with other surgeries, the operation carries with it a small risk of infection despite the sanitary efforts of the medical team.

More Breast Cancer Tests, Same Goal

Understanding breast cancer screenings and breast cancer tests helps individuals take a proactive approach to their health. Routine mammograms, clinical exams, and self-examinations can catch abnormalities early, while advanced imaging and biopsy procedures ensure accurate diagnoses. Important to keep in mind that the catalogue for such screenings and tests is vast, with specialized subtypes of some of the methods listed above (Tomosynthesis/3D Mammography, Liquid Biopsies, Elastographic Ultrasounds, etc) and lesser known techniques akin to Ductal Lavage (which involves collecting and analyzing breast milk), and experimental ones like Thermography and Optical Imaging. Patients should have comprehensive dialogues with their doctors to determine which ones may be best suited for their situation.

What remains essential across all these methods is that if an individual notices any changes in their breast health, they should schedule an appointment with their healthcare provider as soon as possible. Early detection remains the best defense against breast cancer, improving treatment options and increasing survival rates. 

The next part of “When to Check for Breast Cancer” will focus on what a doctor may say after the diagnosis, and how to comprehend what they mean when they start talking about stages.