The Mammo Minute: Are You at Risk for Breast Cancer? Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor
Dr. Arthy Saravanan presents some key questions to ask your doctor to see if you are at risk for breast cancer.
Welcome to “The Mammo Minute.”
I’m Dr. Arthy Saravanan, the chief of the breast imaging section at ARA Diagnostic Imaging.
Today we’re going to talk about an important discussion every woman should have with their health care provider.
It’s about your personal risk for breast cancer.
Statistically, 1 in 8 or 13% of women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.
Some women have a higher risk than others, and your provider can help you figure out if you might be in that category.
The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging recommend that all women have a breast cancer risk assessment with their healthcare provider around age 25.
This assessment may include a physical exam, but will mostly be focused on questions related to your breast health.
Your provider will want to know details of any breast cancer history in your family; if you have any known genetic risk for breast cancer, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2; any cancer you may have already had; your age when you got your first period; your race or ethnicity; if you have had children, and at what age; if you have breastfed and for how long?
These questions aren’t designed to invade your privacy, but to give your provider an idea of how to help you plan your breast healthcare.
Most women will need to start yearly mammograms at age 40.
However, if you have several risk factors, you may need to start earlier or get tested for genetic risk.
If your healthcare provider does not bring up breast health at the yearly checkup, you should be your own best advocate and ask questions such as “Can you do a breast cancer risk assessment for me?”
Or “What breast cancer screening tests do you recommend for me?”
And “Am I at a higher risk for breast cancer? If so, what do you recommend?”
You can also do a self-assessment that might help you prepare for your checkup at BCRiskTool.cancer.gov.
Trust yourself and talk honestly with your provider about your health. Remember, that you know your body better than anyone.
Thanks for joining me for this Mammo Minute.
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