Breast cancer screening guidelines
Be BREAST AWARE
There is a striking number of women who have reported finding something unusual during regular breast self-checks that turns out to be breast cancer.
We strongly recommend you perform monthly self-exams in to order to be "BREAST AWARE" - the new common term. Having a regular schedule to check for changes in your breasts helps you know what is normal for you and potentially discover an abnormality earlier. Regularly check your breasts for any changes– something you can feel, touch and see.
Young Survival Coalition
American Cancer Society
Check for a Lump Wig Clients
80%
50%
69%
Self Exam
Shower – with the pads/flats of your 3 middle fingers, check the entire breast and armpit area pressing down with light, medium, and firm pressure. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, hardened knot, or any other breast changes.
Mirror – visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the
nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match - few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.
Lying Down – when lying down, the beast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your finders around your right breast gently covering the entire breast area and armpit. Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the
nipple. Check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.
Self Exam Motions
Know The symptoms
Clinical Exam
While at your routine ob/gyn appointment, ask your doctor or health practitioner to perform a clinical exam. 12% of our wig clients with breast cancer discovered breast cancer through a clinical exam. A clinical exam takes only a few minutes. It is one more line of defense.
How old should a woman be when she has her first mammogram?
How often should she have a mammogram?
There is considerable controversy as to when women should begin receiving mammograms and how often they should receive them. Most insurance companies follow the United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for breast cancer screening. However, there are at least six other independent organizations and panels, like the American Cancer Society (ACS), that have mammogram guidelines as well. In May 2023, the USPSTF updated their mammogram recommendations, proposing that women at average risk of breast cancer start mammograms at age 40 and have a mammogram every other year.
Check for a Lump agrees that women, including non-binary and transgender people, should assess their risk and consult with their physician prior to deciding on when and how often to receive a mammogram.
mammograms: transgender & non-binary people
USPSTF, The American Cancer Society, and many other professional organizations have recommendations for the early detection of cancer in average-risk and high-risk cis-gender patients. However, it is less straight forward when it comes to the transgender community. There is still more research needed in order to have an accurate recommendation on screening.
The American College of Radiology recommendations for screening in the non-binary and trans populations are based on the sex assigned at birth, risk factors, and the use of hormones. It is also important to note that everyone should talk with their doctor and make a decision together about screening.
Male at birth
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< 5 yrs hormone use + average risk, no testing
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< 5 yrs hormone use, 25-30 yrs old, higher than average risk, mammogram "may be appropriate" annually
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> 5 yrs hormone use, 25-30 yrs old, higher than average risk, mammogram is "usually appropriate" annually
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> 5 yrs hormone use, 40+ yrs old, average risk, mammogram "may be appropriate" annually
Female at birth
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If you have had top surgery, no testing
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No top surgery or had a reduction, 40+ yrs old, average risk, mammogram is "usually appropriate"
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No top surgery or had a reduction, 30+ yrs old, intermediate risk, mammogram is "usually appropriate" and breast MRI "may be appropriate"
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No top surgery or had a reduction, 25-30 yrs old, high risk, mammogram and breast MRI "are usually appropriate"
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Take 5 minutes to learn your personal cancer risk and get simple steps to take charge of your breast and ovarian health.
https://magview.com/ibis-risk-calculator/
The Wisdom Study: A Smarter Way to Screen for Breast Cancer
What’s the study about?
The Wisdom Study is testing a personalized approach to breast cancer screening. Instead of recommending the same yearly mammograms for everyone, this study tailors screening based on a woman’s individual risk. The goal? To find out if personalized screening works just as well—or even better—than the standard one-size-fits-all method.
Who can join?
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Women ages 30 to 74
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No history of breast cancer
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Willing to be randomly placed in one of two groups:
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Annual mammograms (current standard)
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Personalized screening (frequency and type of test based on your risk)
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What’s involved?
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Quick online sign-up – Answer some health questions.
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Risk assessment – Share family history, genetic info (if you have it), and breast density details.
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Get assigned to a group – Either yearly mammograms or a customized screening plan.
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Follow-up for 5+ years – Help researchers track results.
Why does this matter?
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Fewer unnecessary tests – Low-risk women might screen less often, avoiding false alarms.
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Better care for high-risk women – Those who need closer monitoring get it.
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Shape the future of breast cancer screening – Results could change national guidelines
bringing wisdom to the ted talk stage
Watch the journey and purpose of the Wisdom Study by clicking the image below.
