What is breast cancer screening?
Early detection of breast cancer is a screening procedure that includes tests and examinations that can identify small neoplasms that have not yet spread to nearby organs, thus allowing localized treatments and ensuring in most cases a complete cure.
Unlike primary prevention, in which behaviors and precautions are adopted in order to prevent tumor formation, early diagnosis, also known as secondary prevention, is performed when the malignant lesion is already present.
What does it consist of?
Early detection of breast cancer includes different procedures, among them:
- Self-palpation: keeping the body under control and performing a periodic breast self-examination allows the patient to know her anatomy and become aware of any possible changes. Because the breasts change with the menstrual cycle, the best time to perform self-palpation is the week after menstruation. This examination should be performed in front of a mirror, exerting gentle, even pressure with the fingertips over the entire breast, even in the most peripheral areas, in order to detect any lumps. If one or more isolated nodules, nipple discharge or skin retraction are found, a medical examination should be requested.
- A medical history and clinical examination of the breast is performed by the specialist. Periodic sinology consultation is not necessary for young women who practice self-palpation and may include other examinations such as ultrasound, MRI and mammography, which may provide more detailed answers. In case of doubt, the family physician or gynecologist will refer the patient to a breast consult.
- Mammography: using low-dose X-rays, this is a test that can detect nodules in the preclinical phase, i.e. when they are not yet recognizable to the touch, accurately and safely.
- Ultrasound: very rapid test with an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound emitted during the use of the probe, which flows over the breast tissue, makes it possible to visualize the examined area on a monitor and to evaluate the density of the possible nodule. It is a test used especially for young women who have a very dense breast that would make it difficult to visualize malignant lesions through mammography.
- MRI: this scan is capable of detecting even very small nodules and requires the use of a non-radioactive contrast medium.
- Aspiration puncture: analysis consisting of the extraction of cells from the detected nodule by means of a small needle inserted into the breast, in order to check its nature.
Breast cancer screening and detection processes save thousands of lives every year.
Why is it done?
Early detection of breast cancer is performed with the aim of identifying any breast cancer before it affects neighboring organs. Patients with metastatic breast cancer are much more difficult to treat and their survival rate is significantly reduced.
Preparation for early breast cancer detection
Early detection of breast cancer is a set of procedures that are performed on an outpatient basis and without the use of any particular instrument. For this reason, it is not necessary for the patient to follow any particular instructions before the test.
What does the test feel like?
Early detection of breast cancer involves many procedures and, in general, none of them are painful. All tests are performed on an outpatient basis, such as MRI, in which the breast is compressed for a few seconds with two plates, or ultrasound, which uses an ultrasound probe to examine the condition of the tissue.