When should I get a mammagram?

Regular breast cancer screening is one of the most important ways to find cancer early. When breast cancer is diagnosed in the early stages, it’s typically easier to cure.

All women should get mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Depending on your risk factors, you may need additional screening tests.

At Advocate Health Care, we aim to make it as easy as possible to get the screenings you need. We offer multiple convenient locations, online scheduling and same-day results, so you get the answers you need, when and where you need them.

When to start mammogram screening

When you’re 25, we recommend that you talk to your doctor about your family history of breast cancer. Your doctor will assess if you’re average, intermediate or high risk for breast cancer and may give you a referral to a high-risk breast clinic or a genetics counselor if it’s appropriate.

At age 40, talk with your primary care doctor about establishing a screening mammogram plan. Together, you and your provider can develop a plan based on your individual risk factors, personal preferences, and your provider’s recommendation.

These recommendations apply to women with an average risk of breast cancer. This means that you don’t have a:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Genetic mutation known to increase cancer risk, such as the BRCA gene
• History of chest radiation before age 30
• Personal history of breast cancer

When should I start mammogram screening if I have a high risk of breast cancer?

Advocate Health Care recommends that you start talking with your primary care provider about your breast cancer risk at age 25. You may need to start screening mammograms and other tests as early as age 30.

You’re considered at a higher risk for breast cancer if you have:

• A BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• A sibling, parent or child with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation
• A history of chest radiation between the ages of 10 and 30
• Dense breasts
• Cowden syndrome, Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome or have a parent, sibling or child with one of these conditions
• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Personal history of breast cancer, which makes it more likely to occur in the other breast

If you have a high risk of breast cancer, ask your provider about a referral to a high-risk breast clinic. These clinics offer information about healthy lifestyle choices, additional screenings, genetic counseling and preventive treatments.

Is breast cancer risk higher for women with implants?

Breast cancer risk doesn’t differ between women with breast implants and those without. The national guidelines for breast cancer screening also apply to women with implants.

Do I need other breast cancer screenings?

Your provider may recommend other breast cancer screenings, such as MRI or ultrasound, if you have:

• Dense breasts
• High risk of breast cancer
• Personal history of breast cancer

Should I perform monthly breast self-exams?

Many doctors recommend that you perform monthly breast self-exams at the same time each month, such as right after your menstrual cycle.

Research doesn’t show that monthly self-exams lead to early breast cancer detection. But it is important to be familiar with your breast’s size, shape and feel so that you can alert your doctor of any new changes right away. For many women, self-exams are a helpful way to stay aware of how your breasts look and feel.