October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Here at Chinn GYN, breast health is something we think about all year long, but this month gives us a good reason to talk about it a little louder.
When should you start screening?
For most women, breast cancer screening starts in your 40s. For some women, it should start sooner. If you have a family history of breast cancer, or other factors that put you at higher risk, we may recommend beginning screening earlier.
Not sure where you fall? That's exactly the kind of conversation we love to have. We'll look at your personal and family history together and build a screening plan that makes sense for you.
Early detection is key
Early screening and early detection are incredibly important when it comes to surviving breast cancer. For most women, that means a regular mammogram.
When we catch breast cancer early, there are a lot more options on the table. Early treatment can help stop the cancer from spreading, and in many cases it can help women avoid more intensive treatment like chemotherapy or radiation. A screening appointment takes a small amount of your time, and it can make a big difference.
What if you have dense breast tissue?
Some women have dense breast tissue, which simply means there's more glandular and fibrous tissue compared to fatty tissue. It's common, and it isn't a problem on its own. It does matter for screening, though, because dense tissue can make it harder to spot small changes on a mammogram.
For women with dense breasts, we may also recommend getting a breast MRI. An MRI gives us a much clearer look and helps us find early cancers that a mammogram alone might miss.
To request a breast MRI, you'll usually need a mammogram first. That mammogram is how we learn whether your breast tissue is dense in the first place, and it helps us decide if an MRI is the right next step for you. So if you're wondering whether you need an MRI, start with your mammogram, and we'll chat about the results.
Let's talk about your breast health
Whether you're turning 40, have a family history, or just learned you have dense breast tissue, we're here to help you figure out your next step. No rushing and no brushing things off, just real answers and a plan that fits your life.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, put screening on your to-do list. You can request an appointment online or call us at (360) 824-5278 to schedule time to talk about your breast health.
