Mammography and Other Screening Tests for Breast Problems
Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Talk to your doctor about which breast cancer screening tests are right for you, and when you should have them.
Woman Receives Mammogram
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
What Is Breast Cancer?
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What Is Breast Cancer?
Video by TheVisualMD
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What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast imaging and early detection of breast cancer have evolved immensely over the last 25 years, leading to increased survival rates and improved quality of life for millions of women with breast cancer. This video takes you through the process of screening and diagnosis using various imaging modalities, including mammogram, ultrasound and MRI.
Video by TheVisualMD
What Is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.
The breast is made up of lobes and ducts. Each breast has 15 to 20 sections called lobes, which have many smaller sections called lobules. Lobules end in dozens of tiny bulbs that can produce milk. The lobes, lobules, and bulbs are linked by thin tubes called ducts.
Anatomy of the female breast. The nipple and areola are shown on the outside of the breast. The lymph nodes, lobes, lobules, ducts, and other parts of the inside of the breast are also shown.
Each breast also has blood vessels and lymph vessels. The lymph vessels carry an almost colorless, watery fluid called lymph. Lymph vessels carry lymph between lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures that filter lymph and store white blood cells that help fight infection and disease. Groups of lymph nodes are found near the breast in the axilla (under the arm), above the collarbone, and in the chest.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American women.
Women in the United States get breast cancer more than any other type of cancer except for skin cancer.
Breast cancer is more likely to occur as a woman ages. It occurs more often in White women than in Black women, but Black women die from breast cancer more often than White women.
Breast cancer rarely occurs in men. Because men with breast cancer usually have a lump that can be felt, screening tests are not likely to be helpful.
Different factors increase or decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Source: PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Breast Cancer Screening. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.
Additional Materials (15)
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Breast Cancer Cell
Frontal camera shot zooms into mammary (breast) tissue as it becomes transparent to focus on cancer cells. The camera zooms in at a fast pace so that the lobules, ducts and fatty tissue of the mammary glands are not clearly defined.
Video by TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer: Things You Should Know
Document by CDC
T1 - the tumor is 2 cm across or less.
T2 - the tumor is more than 2 cm but no more than 5 cm across.
T3 - the tumor is bigger than 5 cm across.
Stage 3B breast cancer - Diagram 1 of 2
3D medical animation still showing metastatic or stage 4 Breast Cancer
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TNM Staging for Breast Cancer
The breast cancer TNM staging system is the most common way that doctors stage breast cancer. TNM stands for Tumor, Node, Metastasis. Your scans and tests give some information about the stage of your cancer. But your doctor might not be able to tell you the exact stage until you have surgery.
Interactive by Cancer Research UK
Anatomy of the breast
Inside the breast
Image by NCI NIH
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Breast Cancer
Worldwide, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women. It occurs twice as often as colorectal cancer and cervical cancer and three times as often as lung cancer. About 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually, and about 465,000 will die from it. North America has the highest rate of breast cancer in the world. A woman living in the US has a 1-in-8 chance of having malignant breast cancer at some time during her life (up from 1 in 20 in 1960), and a 1-in-35 chance of dying from it. According to the American Cancer Society, about 182,500 women in the United States will have been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2008.
Image by TheVisualMD
3D medical animation still showing metastatic or stage 4 Breast Cancer
Metastatic or stage 4 cancer has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes to other parts of the body.
Image by Scientific Animations, Inc.
Cancer of the breast
Breast cancer
Image by Câncer de Mama – segundo tipo de tumor que mais mata mulheres no Brasil!/Wikimedia
Understand.com | Breast Cancer Animation Library Demo
Video by Understand/YouTube
NHS Breast Cancer Screening - Module 1
Video by ASKVisualScience/YouTube
What are the grades and stages of breast cancer?
Video by You and Breast Cancer/YouTube
Front view of the breast
Side view of the breast
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Breast Anatomy (CDC)
Interactive by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Breast Cancer in Women of Color: Controversies in Breast Cancer Screening
Video by NYU Langone Health/YouTube
What is DCIS Breast Cancer?
Video by Breast Cancer Answers®/YouTube
Male breast cancer and other breast issues - Mayo Clinic
Video by Mayo Clinic/YouTube
Breast Cancer 101: Our Oncologists Answer Questions On Breast Cancer
Video by Michigan Medicine/YouTube
0:07
Breast Cancer Cell
TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer: Things You Should Know
CDC
TNM Staging for Breast Cancer
Cancer Research UK
Anatomy of the breast
NCI NIH
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Breast Cancer
TheVisualMD
3D medical animation still showing metastatic or stage 4 Breast Cancer
Scientific Animations, Inc.
Cancer of the breast
Câncer de Mama – segundo tipo de tumor que mais mata mulheres no Brasil!/Wikimedia
3:44
Understand.com | Breast Cancer Animation Library Demo
Understand/YouTube
2:07
NHS Breast Cancer Screening - Module 1
ASKVisualScience/YouTube
2:16
What are the grades and stages of breast cancer?
You and Breast Cancer/YouTube
Breast Anatomy (CDC)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
16:02
Breast Cancer in Women of Color: Controversies in Breast Cancer Screening
NYU Langone Health/YouTube
3:29
What is DCIS Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer Answers®/YouTube
3:14
Male breast cancer and other breast issues - Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
58:50
Breast Cancer 101: Our Oncologists Answer Questions On Breast Cancer
Michigan Medicine/YouTube
Who Is At Risk?
Healthy Female Breasts with Less Dense Tissue / Healthy Female Breasts with Dense Tissue
1) Healthy Female Breasts with Less Dense Tissue 2) Healthy Female Breasts with Dense Tissue
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Healthy Female Breasts with Less Dense Tissue / Healthy Female Breasts with Dense Tissue
1) Healthy Female Breasts with Less Dense Tissue 2) Healthy Female Breasts with Dense Tissue
Healthy Female Breasts with Less Dense Tissue: Female chest anatomy revealing the breast tissue in healthy, less-dense breasts. Breasts can be more dense or less dense, depending on the proportion of ductal and connective tissue to fatty tissue. Younger women tend to have denser breasts, with a higher proportion of ductal and connective tissue. Older women tend to develop less dense breasts, with more fatty tissue. This is important in breast imaging, because dense breast tissue may obscure tumors.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?
Studies have shown that your risk for breast cancer is due to a combination of factors. The main factors that influence your risk include being a woman and getting older. Most breast cancers are found in women who are 50 years old or older.
Some women will get breast cancer even without any other risk factors that they know of. Having a risk factor does not mean you will get the disease, and not all risk factors have the same effect. Most women have some risk factors, but most women do not get breast cancer. If you have breast cancer risk factors, talk with your doctor about ways you can lower your risk and about screening for breast cancer.
Risk Factors You Cannot Change
Getting older. The risk for breast cancer increases with age; most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50.
Genetic mutations. Inherited changes (mutations) to certain genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Women who have inherited these genetic changes are at higher risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Reproductive history. Early menstrual periods before age 12 and starting menopause after age 55 expose women to hormones longer, raising their risk of getting breast cancer.
Having dense breasts. Dense breasts have more connective tissue than fatty tissue, which can sometimes make it hard to see tumors on a mammogram. Women with dense breasts are more likely to get breast cancer.
Personal history of breast cancer or certain non-cancerous breast diseases. Women who have had breast cancer are more likely to get breast cancer a second time. Some non-cancerous breast diseases such as atypical hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ are associated with a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Family history of breast cancer. A woman’s risk for breast cancer is higher if she has a mother, sister, or daughter (first-degree relative) or multiple family members on either her mother’s or father’s side of the family who have had breast cancer. Having a first-degree male relative with breast cancer also raises a woman’s risk.
Previous treatment using radiation therapy. Women who had radiation therapy to the chest or breasts (like for treatment of Hodgkin’s lymphoma) before age 30 have a higher risk of getting breast cancer later in life.
Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES), which was given to some pregnant women in the United States between 1940 and 1971 to prevent miscarriage, have a higher risk. Women whose mothers took DES while pregnant with them are also at risk.
Risk Factors You Can Change
Not being physically active. Women who are not physically active have a higher risk of getting breast cancer.
Being overweight or obese after menopause. Older women who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of getting breast cancer than those at a normal weight.
Taking hormones. Some forms of hormone replacement therapy (those that include both estrogen and progesterone) taken during menopause can raise risk for breast cancer when taken for more than five years. Certain oral contraceptives (birth control pills) also have been found to raise breast cancer risk.
Reproductive history. Having the first pregnancy after age 30, not breastfeeding, and never having a full-term pregnancy can raise breast cancer risk.
Drinking alcohol. Studies show that a woman’s risk for breast cancer increases with the more alcohol she drinks.
Research suggests that other factors such as smoking, being exposed to chemicals that can cause cancer, and changes in other hormones due to night shift working also may increase breast cancer risk.
Who Is at High Risk for Breast Cancer?
If you have a strong family history of breast cancer or inherited changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, you may have a high risk of getting breast cancer. You may also have a high risk for ovarian cancer.
Talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your risk, such as medicines that block or decrease estrogen in your body, or surgery.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Additional Materials (13)
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Cells
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Cells
Image by TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer and family history
Image by acousticsoul215/Pixabay
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer in a Pedigree Chart
demonstrate the possible inheritance of breast and ovarian cancer in a family.
Image by Rozzychan, adapted by Huijts
Healthy Female Breasts Comparison - Left Young and Dense - Rt. Older and less dense
Healthy Female Breasts Comparison - Left Young and Dense - Rt. Older and less dense
Image by TheVisualMD
Diagram showing stage 1A breast cancer
Stage 1B breast cancer
Stage 2A breast cancer - Diagram 1 of 2
Stage 2A breast cancer - Diagram 2 of 2
Stage 2B breast cancer - Diagram 1 of 3
Stage 2B breast cancer - Diagram 2 of 3
Stage 2B breast cancer - Diagram 3 of 3
Stage 3A breast cancer- Diagram 1 of 3
Stage 3A breast cancer- Diagram 2 of 3
Stage 3A breast cancer- Diagram 3 of 3
Diagram 1 of 3 showing stage 3C breast cancer
Stage 3C breast cancer - Diagram 2 of 3
Stage 3C breast cancer - Diagram 3 of 3
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Stages of Breast Cancer
Interactive by Cancer Research UK / Wikimedia
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Breast Density
Women with dense breast tissue often require a further look with ultrasound for screening. University of Chicago Medical Center breast radiologist Dr. Gillian Newstead and a breast cancer survivor with dense breast tissue explain.
Video by TheVisualMD
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Dense Breasts and Cancer
Among U.S. women age 40-74, 40% to 50% have dense breasts. Women with dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Mammogram Showing Normal Fatty Breast
A mammogram of a normal fatty breast, typical of older women. Diagnosis of abnormal lesions or cancer is more accurate in non-dense breasts.
Image by Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute
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Mammogram Showing Normal Dense Breasts
Two mammograms of normal dense breasts. A dense breast makes a mammographic image difficult to read when and if cancerous lesions are present. These images are typical of breast of younger women.Topics/Categories Anatomy -- Breast Test or Procedure -- Imaging ProceduresType B&W, PhotoSource Dr. Dwight Kaufman. Division Of Cancer Treatment
Image by Unknown photographer/National Cancer Institute
Why Am I at Risk of Developing Breast Cancer? | Being Jewish and Breast Cancer Risk
Video by Johns Hopkins Medicine/YouTube
Does Atypical Hyperplasia Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
Video by Breast Cancer Answers®/YouTube
How much does alcohol affect breast cancer risk?
Video by Breast Cancer Now/YouTube
Breast Cancer Environmental Risk Factors
Video by Breast Cancer Answers®/YouTube
Pregnancy and Breast Cancer Cells
TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer and family history
acousticsoul215/Pixabay
Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer in a Pedigree Chart
Rozzychan, adapted by Huijts
Healthy Female Breasts Comparison - Left Young and Dense - Rt. Older and less dense
TheVisualMD
Stages of Breast Cancer
Cancer Research UK / Wikimedia
0:43
Breast Density
TheVisualMD
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Dense Breasts and Cancer
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Mammogram Showing Normal Fatty Breast
Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute
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Mammogram Showing Normal Dense Breasts
Unknown photographer/National Cancer Institute
3:36
Why Am I at Risk of Developing Breast Cancer? | Being Jewish and Breast Cancer Risk
Johns Hopkins Medicine/YouTube
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Does Atypical Hyperplasia Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
Breast Cancer Answers®/YouTube
1:24
How much does alcohol affect breast cancer risk?
Breast Cancer Now/YouTube
5:11
Breast Cancer Environmental Risk Factors
Breast Cancer Answers®/YouTube
What Are Warning Signs?
Signs & Symptoms
Image by TheVisualMD
Signs & Symptoms
Image by TheVisualMD
What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?
Breast pain can be a symptom of cancer. If you have any symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.
Different people have different symptoms of breast cancer. Some people do not have any signs or symptoms at all.
Some warning signs of breast cancer are—
New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit).
Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast.
Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood.
Any change in the size or the shape of the breast.
Pain in any area of the breast.
Keep in mind that these symptoms can happen with other conditions that are not cancer.
If you have any signs or symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away.
What Is a Normal Breast?
No breast is typical. What is normal for you may not be normal for another woman. Most women say their breasts feel lumpy or uneven. The way your breasts look and feel can be affected by getting your period, having children, losing or gaining weight, and taking certain medications. Breasts also tend to change as you age. For more information, see the National Cancer Institute’s Breast Changes and Conditions.
What Do Lumps in My Breast Mean?
Many conditions can cause lumps in the breast, including cancer. But most breast lumps are caused by other medical conditions. The two most common causes of breast lumps are fibrocystic breast condition and cysts. Fibrocystic condition causes noncancerous changes in the breast that can make them lumpy, tender, and sore. Cysts are small fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Additional Materials (10)
Cancer signs and symptoms
Symptoms of Cancer : The symptoms of cancer depend on the type of cancer, its location, the size of the tumor, and how much it affects nearby organs or tissues. If a cancer has metastasized, symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. Some cancers may be asymptomatic (have no symptoms at all) or be asymptomatic until the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Pancreatic cancer, for example, may not cause symptoms until the cancerous cells have grown around nearby nerves. Symptoms that are commonly seen with different forms of cancer include chills, fever, malaise, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, pain, loss of appetite, and change in bowel habits or bladder function.
Image by TheVisualMD
Breast cancer - Early Signs - Overview
Early signs of possible breast cancer
Image by Raphseck
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Breast with Inverted Nipple, Symptom of Breast Cancer
Photograph of woman's right breast showing inverted nipple, a possible symptom of breast cancer. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer are not always lumps or swelling.
Image by TheVisualMD
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Breast with Rough, Scaly Skin, Symptom of Breast Cancer
Photograph of woman's breast showing scaly, rough skin, a possible symptom of breast cancer. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer are not always lumps or swelling.
Image by TheVisualMD
How to Catch Cancer Early
Video by PatientEdChannel/YouTube
How Cancer Starts
Video by PatientEdChannel/YouTube
Is Nipple Discharge a Sign of Breast Cancer? - UF Health Breast Center – Jacksonville
Video by UF Health Jacksonville/YouTube
How to Check Your Breasts for Lumps - Signs Of Breast Cancer Symptoms
Video by WaysAndHow/YouTube
Breast Cancer 101: Our Oncologists Answer Questions On Breast Cancer
Video by Michigan Medicine/YouTube
How to Check for the Signs of Male Breast Cancer | Lorraine
Video by Lorraine/YouTube
Cancer signs and symptoms
TheVisualMD
Breast cancer - Early Signs - Overview
Raphseck
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Breast with Inverted Nipple, Symptom of Breast Cancer
TheVisualMD
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Breast with Rough, Scaly Skin, Symptom of Breast Cancer
TheVisualMD
2:46
How to Catch Cancer Early
PatientEdChannel/YouTube
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How Cancer Starts
PatientEdChannel/YouTube
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Is Nipple Discharge a Sign of Breast Cancer? - UF Health Breast Center – Jacksonville
UF Health Jacksonville/YouTube
4:15
How to Check Your Breasts for Lumps - Signs Of Breast Cancer Symptoms
WaysAndHow/YouTube
58:50
Breast Cancer 101: Our Oncologists Answer Questions On Breast Cancer
Michigan Medicine/YouTube
3:01
How to Check for the Signs of Male Breast Cancer | Lorraine
Lorraine/YouTube
What Is Screening?
Screening for Cancer
Image by TheVisualMD
Screening for Cancer
Cancer treatment has a better chance of success when the cancer is found at an early stage. Screening tests are available for cancers of the breast, prostate, testes, colon, rectum, mouth, and skin. Tumor markers are substances produced by tumors or other cells of the body in response to the presence of cancer. Tumor markers can be used to help diagnose cancer, predict response to therapy, check response to treatment, and determine if cancer has recurred. One tumor marker, prostate specific antigen (PSA) is commonly used to screen for prostate cancer in men who have no symptoms of the disease. Screening has risks, including overdiagnosis, false positives, and false negatives.
Image by TheVisualMD
What Is Breast Cancer Screening?
Screening is looking for signs of disease, such as breast cancer, before a person has symptoms. The goal of screening tests is to find cancer at an early stage when it can be treated and may be cured. Sometimes a screening test finds cancer that is very small or very slow growing. These cancers are unlikely to cause death or illness during the person's lifetime.
Scientists are trying to better understand which people are more likely to get certain types of cancer. For example, they look at the person's age, their family history, and certain exposures during their lifetime. This information helps doctors recommend who should be screened for cancer, which screening tests should be used, and how often the tests should be done.
It is important to remember that your doctor does not necessarily think you have cancer if he or she suggests a screening test. Screening tests are done when you have no cancer symptoms. Women who have a strong family history or a personal history of cancer or other risk factors may also be offered genetic testing.
If a screening test result is abnormal, you may need to have more tests done to find out if you have cancer. These are called diagnostic tests, rather than screening tests.
Source: PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Breast Cancer Screening. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.
Additional Materials (15)
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
If a woman has symptoms of breast cancer (such as a lump), or if a suspicious area is found in an imaging exam, the next step is to physically examine the breasts by noting any changes in their appearance and palpating the breast and the underarm region. A complete physical exam may be done as well. If symptoms or results of these exams suggest cancer might be present, then further tests will be done. (Note: The following diagnostic procedures are common to the US; procedures may vary in other countries.)
Image by TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer Screening
Video by Learning in 10/YouTube
Breast Cancer Screening and Treatment
Image by CDC
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Breast
An MRI of the breast is a procedure that uses radio waves, a strong magnet, and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of the breast. A contrast dye may be injected into a vein (not shown) to make the breast tissues easier to see on the MRI pictures. An MRI may be used with other breast imaging tests to detect breast cancer or other abnormal changes in the breast. It may also be used to screen for breast cancer in some people who have a high risk of the disease. Note: The inset shows an MRI image of the insides of both breasts. Credit for inset: The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA).
Clearing up confusion over breast cancer screening recommendations
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
4:28
2015 Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations for Women at Average Risk
JAMA Network/YouTube
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Mayo Clinic Minute: Why breast cancer screening is important
Mayo Clinic/YouTube
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Mammogram Screening for Breast Cancer
SingHealth/YouTube
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Why Women Need Access To Better Breast Cancer Screenings
TODAY/YouTube
Screening Tests
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Screening for Cancer
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Screening for Cancer
Image by TheVisualMD
What Tests Are Used for Breast Cancer Screening?
Tests are used to screen for different types of cancer when a person does not have symptoms.
Scientists study screening tests to find those with the fewest harms and most benefits. Cancer screening trials also are meant to show whether early detection (finding cancer before it causes symptoms) helps a person live longer or decreases a person’s chance of dying from the disease. For some types of cancer, the chance of recovery is better if the disease is found and treated at an early stage.
Mammography is the most common screening test for breast cancer.
A mammogram is a picture of the inside of the breast. Mammography may find tumors that are too small to feel. It may also find ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In DCIS, abnormal cells line the breast duct, and in some women may become invasive cancer.
There are three types of mammograms:
Film mammography is an x-ray picture of the breast.
Digital mammography is a computer picture of the breast.
Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) uses x-rays to take a series of pictures of the breast from many different angles. A computer is used to make 3-D pictures of the breast from these x-rays.
DBT was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018 and is now used in 3 out of 4 facilities. One study found that DBT reduced false-positive test results (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn’t) and was likely to reduce breast cancer deaths. More studies are being done to provide information on digital mammography compared to DBT.
Mammography is less likely to find breast tumors in women with dense breast tissue. Because both tumors and dense breast tissue appear white on a mammogram, it can be harder to find a tumor when there is dense breast tissue. Younger women are more likely to have dense breast tissue.
Mammography. The breast is pressed between two plates. X-rays are used to take pictures of breast tissue.
Many factors affect whether mammography is able to detect (find) breast cancer:
The age and weight of the patient.
The size and type of tumor.
Where the tumor has formed in the breast.
How sensitive the breast tissue is to hormones.
How dense the breast tissue is.
The timing of the mammography within the woman's menstrual cycle.
The quality of the mammogram picture.
The skill of the radiologist in reading the mammogram.
Women aged 50 to 69 years who have screening mammograms have a lower chance of dying from breast cancer than women who do not have screening mammograms.
Fewer women are dying of breast cancer in the United States, but it is not known whether the lower risk of dying is because the cancer was found early by screening or whether the treatments were better.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to screen women who have a high risk of breast cancer.
MRI is a procedure that uses a magnet, radio waves, and a computer to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. This procedure is also called nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI). MRI does not use any x-rays and the woman is not exposed to radiation.
An MRI of the breast is a procedure that uses radio waves, a strong magnet, and a computer to create detailed pictures of the inside of the breast. A contrast dye may be injected into a vein (not shown) to make the breast tissues easier to see on the MRI pictures. An MRI may be used with other breast imaging tests to detect breast cancer or other abnormal changes in the breast. It may also be used to screen for breast cancer in some people who have a high risk of the disease. Note: The inset shows an MRI image of the insides of both breasts. Credit for inset: The Cancer Imaging Archive (TCIA).
MRI may be used as a screening test for women who have a high risk of breast cancer. Factors that put women at high risk include the following:
Certain gene changes, such as changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
A family history (first degree relative, such as a mother, daughter or sister) with breast cancer.
Certain genetic syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni or Cowden syndrome.
An MRI is more likely than mammography to find a breast mass that is not cancer.
Women with dense breasts who have supplemental screening (for example, an MRI) show higher rates of breast cancer detection, but there is limited evidence about whether this leads to better health outcomes.
Whether a woman should be screened for breast cancer and the screening test to use depends on certain factors.
Women with risk factors for breast cancer, such as certain changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene or certain genetic syndromes may be screened at a younger age and more often.
Women who have had radiation treatment to the chest, especially at a young age, may start routine breast cancer screening at an earlier age. The benefits and risks of mammograms and MRIs for these women have not been studied.
Breast cancer screening has not been shown to benefit the following women:
Elderly women who, if diagnosed with breast cancer through screening, will usually die of other causes. Screening mammograms for those aged 66 to 79 years may find cancer in a very small percentage of women, but most of these cancers are low risk.
In women with an average risk of developing breast cancer, screening mammography before age 40 has not shown any benefit.
In women who are not expected to live for a long time and have other diseases or conditions, finding and treating early stage breast cancer may reduce their quality of life without helping them live longer.
Other screening tests have been or are being studied in clinical trials.
Studies have been done to find out if the following breast cancer screening tests are useful in finding breast cancer or helping women with breast cancer live longer.
Breast Exam
A clinical breast exam is an exam of the breast by a doctor or other health professional. He or she will carefully feel the breasts and under the arms for lumps or anything else that seems unusual. It is not known if having clinical breast exams decreases the chance of dying from breast cancer.
Breast self-exams may be done by women or men to check their breasts for lumps or other changes. If you feel any lumps or notice any other changes in your breasts, talk to your doctor. Doing regular breast self-exams has not been shown to decrease the chance of dying from breast cancer.
Thermography
Thermography is a procedure in which a special camera that senses heat is used to record the temperature of the skin that covers the breasts. Tumors can cause temperature changes that may show up on the thermogram.
There have been no randomized clinical trials of thermography to find out how well it detects breast cancer or the harms of the procedure.
Tissue sampling
Breast tissue sampling is taking cells from breast tissue to check under a microscope. Breast tissue sampling as a screening test has not been shown to decrease the risk of dying from breast cancer.
Screening tests for breast cancer are being studied in clinical trials.
Source: PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Breast Cancer Screening. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.
Additional Materials (14)
Mammograms MED-SEG
The left image shows an original mammogram before MED-SEG processing. The image on the right, with region of interest (white) labeled, shows a mammogram after MED-SEG processing.
Image by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia
Mammography
Breast radiologist Dr.Gillian Newstead of the University of Chicago Medical Center explains the process of a typical mammogram screening.
Image by TheVisualMD
Blausen 0628 Mammogram
Mammogram. See a related animation of this medical topic.
Image by BruceBlaus. When using this image in external sources it can be cited as:
Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436./Wikimedia
Lymph Node Biopsy
Lymph Node Biopsy
Lymph Node Biopsy
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Breast Cancer - Lymph Node Biopsy
Lymph Node Biopsy : When breast cancer spreads beyond the primary tumor site, it usually spreads first to the sentinel lymph node or nodes, the first lymph nodes to receive drainage from a cancer-containing area of the breast. From there, breast cancer generally spreads to the axillary lymph nodes under the arm. So an important part of the breast cancer staging process is to determine whether the cancer has spread from the primary tumor to the sentinel lymph node, and from there into the axillary lymph nodes.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy 1 / Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy 2
Breast Cancer - Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy
Ultrasound image of possible breast tumor before biopsy. The procedure is performed by a radiologist and sonographer. A local anesthetic is injected into the breast. The transducer is pressed to the breast and the suspicious area is located. The biopsy needle is inserted in the breast and guided in realtime by watching its movement through the breast on a computer monitor. The tissue sample is taken and the needle is removed.
Interactive by TheVisualMD
Woman Receives Mammogram
A Caucasian female technician positions a Hispanic woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Needle Breast Biopsy
Needle Breast Biopsy
Image by BruceBlaus
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Breast Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the U.S., with about 1 in 8 women developing the disease within her lifetime. Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells that has the potential to spread into the breast and possibly to other parts of the body. Early detection through screening saves the lives of thousands of women every year. If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, women should consider the BReast CAncer susceptibility test (or BRCA) to identify a gene that may indicate an increased risk of developing the disease. Women forty and over should be screened for abnormalities yearly to detect and evaluate changes in breast tissue. If an abnormality is found, a biopsy and pathological exam are necessary for a definitive diagnosis and prognosis. After diagnosis, your doctor may want to learn more about your specific cancer through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and HER2 protein tests. IHC testing can help determine if a specific abnormality is present in the cancer cells. HER2 tests can tell your physician if the breast cancer is turned on by the HER2 gene, and can help determine the best course of treatment. Knowing what type of breast cancer is involved, what stage the cancer is, and the characteristics of that specific cancer, allows a woman's physician to determine best possible therapy for her individual case.
Video by TheVisualMD
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Breast Density
Women with dense breast tissue often require a further look with ultrasound for screening. University of Chicago Medical Center breast radiologist Dr. Gillian Newstead and a breast cancer survivor with dense breast tissue explain.
Video by TheVisualMD
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Breast MRI
Dr. Nora Jaskowiak of The University of Chicago Medical Center explains why Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is a critical tool in her role as breast surgeon.
Video by TheVisualMD
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Mammography: NCI B-roll [video]
NCI B-roll of female patient (simulated) receiving a digital mammogram. This video is intentionally silent. This footage, which was filmed at Sibley Memorial Hospital (a Johns Hopkins affiliate institution), includes images of a technician setting up the equipment, a Caucasian female being positioned to receive a mammogram, and mammography images of of dense breasts and fatty breasts. Downloadable video files are 960x540 at 30 fps. This image is part of the NCI B-Roll Videos collection.
View video using embedded player on this page or at youtube.com.
Video by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram
An adult female is assisted in a mammogram machine by an African-American technician.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Alan Hoofring (Illustrator)
Woman Receives Mammogram
An African-American female technician positions a Caucasian woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
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Mammography (old): NCI B-roll [video]
NCI B-roll of patients receiving a tradition and digital mammogram. This video is silent. A version of this video with audio can be found in the video NCI Detection B-roll.
Video by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Mammograms MED-SEG
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia
Mammography
TheVisualMD
Blausen 0628 Mammogram
BruceBlaus. When using this image in external sources it can be cited as:
Blausen.com staff (2014). "Medical gallery of Blausen Medical 2014". WikiJournal of Medicine 1 (2). DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 2002-4436./Wikimedia
Breast Cancer - Lymph Node Biopsy
TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer - Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy
TheVisualMD
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Needle Breast Biopsy
BruceBlaus
4:57
Breast Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
TheVisualMD
0:43
Breast Density
TheVisualMD
0:53
Breast MRI
TheVisualMD
2:39
Mammography: NCI B-roll [video]
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Alan Hoofring (Illustrator)
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
2:38
Mammography (old): NCI B-roll [video]
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Breast Exam
Breast Exam
Also called: Clinical Breast Exam, CBE
A clinical breast exam (CBE) is a physical exam of the breast performed by a health care provider to check for lumps or other changes. It’s often done during your regular medical check-up. If a CBE is not offered at your check-up and you would like one, ask your health care provider to perform one (or refer you to someone who can).
Breast Exam
Also called: Clinical Breast Exam, CBE
A clinical breast exam (CBE) is a physical exam of the breast performed by a health care provider to check for lumps or other changes. It’s often done during your regular medical check-up. If a CBE is not offered at your check-up and you would like one, ask your health care provider to perform one (or refer you to someone who can).
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Your result is Normal.
A normal result means that the nipples, breast tissue, and areas around the breast look normal and are normal in size and shape. A normal result does not mean that breast cancer is not present. Depending on your age and your personal and family history of breast cancer, your health care provider may do other tests, such as a mammogram.
Related conditions
PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Breast Cancer Screening. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute. [accessed on Jan 15, 2022]
Breast Exam | Michigan Medicine [accessed on Jan 15, 2022]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (8)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hands examining her. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hands examining her. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hands examining. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hands examining. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hand examining. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hands examining. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up with a doctors hands examining. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
This is a series of 16 photos demonstrating the 16 steps of a clinical breast examination. The image shows a female nude from the waist up. The steps are as follows: 1) arms in normal position 2) arms on hips 3) pressed forward elbows 4) pressed forward 5) arms overhead 6) arms overhead 7) arms raised and pressing down 8) exam of cervical nodes 9) exam of supraclavicular 10) infraclavicular 11) axilla 12) exam of breast 13) axilla 14) breast exam 15) exam of nipple 16) exam of nipple for discharge.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
National Cancer Institute / Photogroup (Photographer)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
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Breast Exam (Series of 16)
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Mammogram
Mammogram
Also called: Breast Cancer Screening - Mammography, Screening Mammography, Diagnostic Mammography
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray picture of the breast. A mammogram is used to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.
Mammogram
Also called: Breast Cancer Screening - Mammography, Screening Mammography, Diagnostic Mammography
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray picture of the breast. A mammogram is used to look for early signs of breast cancer. Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early, sometimes up to three years before it can be felt.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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1
2
3
4
5
6
Your result is Negative.
This score confirms that your mammogram results are negative, indicating that the breast tissue shows no signs of a mass or calcifications. However, it’s important to continue regular screening mammograms.
Related conditions
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to look for changes that are not normal. The results are recorded on x-ray film or directly into a computer for a doctor called a radiologist to examine.
A mammogram allows the doctor to have a closer look for changes in breast tissue that cannot be felt during a breast exam. It is used for women who have no breast complaints and for women who have breast symptoms, such as a change in the shape or size of a breast, a lump, nipple discharge, or pain. Breast changes occur in almost all women. In fact, most of these changes are not cancer and are called "benign," but only a doctor can know for sure. Breast changes can also happen monthly, due to your menstrual period.
Screening mammograms are done for women who have no symptoms of breast cancer. It usually involves two x-rays of each breast. Screening mammograms can detect lumps or tumors that cannot be felt. They can also find microcalcifications or tiny deposits of calcium in the breast, which sometimes mean that breast cancer is present.
Diagnostic mammograms are used to check for breast cancer after a lump or other symptom or sign of breast cancer has been found. Signs of breast cancer may include pain, thickened skin on the breast, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape. This type of mammogram also can be used to find out more about breast changes found on a screening mammogram, or to view breast tissue that is hard to see on a screening mammogram. A diagnostic mammogram takes longer than a screening mammogram because it involves more x-rays in order to obtain views of the breast from several angles. The technician can magnify a problem area to make a more detailed picture, which helps the doctor make a correct diagnosis.
A digital mammogram also uses x-rays to produce an image of the breast, but instead of storing the image directly on film, the image is stored directly on a computer. This allows the recorded image to be magnified for the doctor to take a closer look. Current research has not shown that digital images are better at showing cancer than x-ray film images in general. But, women with dense breasts who are pre- or perimenopausal, or who are younger than age 50, may benefit from having a digital rather than a film mammogram. Digital mammography may offer these benefits:
Long-distance consultations with other doctors may be easier because the images can be shared by computer.
Slight differences between normal and abnormal tissues may be more easily noted.
The number of follow-up tests needed may be fewer.
Fewer repeat images may be needed, reducing exposure to radiation.
A mammogram is a low-dose x-ray exam of the breasts to look for changes that are not normal. A mammogram allows the doctor to have a closer look for changes in breast tissue that cannot be felt during a breast exam. Women ages 50 to 74 years should get a mammogram every 2 years. Women younger than age 50 should talk to a doctor about when to start and how often to have a mammogram.
Mammograms can not find all problems. So, every woman should work with her doctor to check her breasts. Call your doctor or clinic if you notice any change in your breasts like:
a lump
thickening
liquid leaking from the nipple or changes in how the nipple looks
You will need to take off your shirt and bra and stand in front of a special x-ray machine. The person who takes the x-rays, called a radiologic technician, places your breasts, one at a time, between an x-ray plate and a plastic plate. These plates are attached to the x-ray machine and compress the breasts to flatten them. This spreads the breast tissue out to obtain a clearer picture. You will feel pressure on your breast for a few seconds. It may cause you some discomfort; you might feel squeezed or pinched. This feeling only lasts for a few seconds, and the flatter your breast, the better the picture. Most often, two pictures are taken of each breast — one from the side and one from above. A screening mammogram takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.
First, check with the place you are having the mammogram for any special instructions you may need to follow before you go. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
If you are still having menstrual periods, try to avoid making your mammogram appointment during the week before your period. Your breasts will be less tender and swollen. The mammogram will hurt less and the picture will be better.
If you have breast implants, be sure to tell your mammography facility that you have them when you make your appointment.
Wear a shirt with shorts, pants, or a skirt. This way, you can undress from the waist up and leave your shorts, pants, or skirt on when you get your mammogram.
Don't wear any deodorant, perfume, lotion, or powder under your arms or on your breasts on the day of your mammogram appointment. These things can make shadows show up on your mammogram.
If you have had mammograms at another facility, have those x-ray films sent to the new facility so that they can be compared to the new films.
Tell the clinic if you have physical disabilities that may make it hard for you to sit up, lift your arms, or hold your breath.
Talk with the staff about how they will handle issues of modesty that you may have due to your religion.
Because mammography uses x-rays to produce images of the breast, patients are exposed to a small amount of ionizing radiation. For most women, the benefits of regular mammograms outweigh the risks posed by this amount of radiation. The risk associated with this dose appears to be greater among younger women (under age 40). However, in some cases, the benefits of using mammography to detect breast cancer under age 40 may outweigh the risks of radiation exposure. For example, a mammogram may reveal that a suspicious mass is benign and, therefore, doesn’t need to be treated. Additionally, if a tumor is malignant and is caught early by mammogram, a surgeon may be able to remove it before it spreads and requires more aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy.
Routine screening mammography is not done during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
You will usually get the results within a few weeks, although it depends on the facility. A radiologist reads your mammogram and then reports the results to you and your doctor. If there is a concern, you will hear from the mammography facility earlier. Contact your health care provider or the mammography facility if you do not receive a report of your results within 30 days.
Breast tissue that shows no signs of a mass or calcifications is considered normal. Most abnormal findings on a screening mammogram turn out to be benign (not cancer) or nothing to worry about. New findings or changes must be further evaluated.
What can mammograms show?
The radiologist will look at your x-rays for breast changes that do not look normal and for differences in each breast. He or she will compare your past mammograms with your most recent one to check for changes. The doctor will also look for lumps and calcifications.
Possible mammogram findings include:
Lumps (mass or tumor). Lumps come in different sizes and shapes. Fluid-filled cysts are usually smooth and rounded, with clear, defined edges and are not cancer. Lumps that have a jagged outline and an irregular shape are of more concern.
Calcifications. There are two types of breast calcifications, or calcium deposits:
Macrocalcifications, which look like small white dots on a mammogram. They are often caused by aging, an old injury, or inflammation and are usually benign.
Microcalcifications, which look like white specks on a mammogram. If found in an area of rapidly dividing cells or grouped together in a certain way, they may be a sign of DCIS or breast cancer.
Dense breast tissue: A dense breast has relatively less fat and more glandular and connective tissue. This mammogram finding is both common and normal, especially among younger women and women who use menopausal hormone therapy. Dense breast tissue can make a mammogram more difficult to interpret because both dense breast tissue and breast tumors appear as solid white areas in the image.
What happens if my mammogram is normal?
Continue to get mammograms according to recommended time intervals. Mammograms work best when they can be compared with previous ones. This allows the radiologist to compare them to look for changes in your breasts.
What happens if my mammogram is abnormal?
An abnormal mammogram does not always mean that there is cancer. But you will need to have additional mammograms, tests, or exams before the doctor can tell for sure. You may also be referred to a breast specialist or a surgeon. It does not necessarily mean you have cancer or need surgery. These doctors are experts in diagnosing breast problems. Doctors may order some of these tests:
Diagnostic mammogram, to focus on a specific area of the breast
Ultrasound, an imaging test that uses sound waves to create a picture of your breast. The pictures may show whether a lump is solid or filled with fluid. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. Cysts are not cancer. But a solid mass may be cancer. After the test, your doctor can store the pictures on video or print them out. This exam may be used along with a mammogram.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer. MRI makes detailed pictures of breast tissue. Your doctor can view these pictures on a monitor or print them on film. MRI may be used along with a mammogram.
Biopsy, a test in which fluid or tissue is removed from your breast to help find out if there is cancer. Your doctor may refer you to a surgeon or to a doctor who is an expert in breast disease for a biopsy.
What is the Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System (BI-RADS®)?
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has established a uniform way for radiologists to describe mammogram findings. The system, called BI-RADS, includes seven standardized categories, or levels. Each BI-RADS category has a follow-up plan associated with it to help radiologists and other physicians appropriately manage a patient’s care.
Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System (BI-RADS)
Category
Assessment
Follow-up
0
Need additional imaging evaluation
Additional imaging needed before a category can be assigned
1
Negative
Continue regular screening mammograms
2
Benign (noncancerous) finding
Continue regular screening mammograms
3
Probably benign
Receive a 6-month follow-up mammogram
4
Suspicious abnormality
May require biopsy
5
Highly suggestive of malignancy (cancer)
Requires biopsy
6
Known biopsy-proven malignancy (cancer)
Biopsy confirms presence of cancer before treatment begins
BI-RADS also includes four categories of breast density that may be reported. The radiologist who reads the mammogram chooses the category that best describes the level of breast density seen on the mammogram film. The categories, from the least amount of breast density to the highest, are as follows:
The breasts are almost entirely fatty
There are scattered areas of dense glandular tissue and fibrous connective tissue (together known as fibroglandular density)
The breasts are heterogeneously dense, which means they have more of these areas of fibroglandular density. This may make it hard to see small masses in the breast tissue on a mammogram.
The breasts are extremely dense, which makes it hard to see tumors in the breast tissue on a mammogram.
Many states in the U.S. have enacted laws requiring mammography providers to tell women if they have dense breasts (i.e., breasts that are heterogeneously or extremely dense on a mammogram) and to inform them of risks associated with having dense breasts. In addition to making mammograms harder to read, dense breasts are a risk factor for breast cancer.
Although they are not perfect, mammograms are the best method to find breast changes that cannot be felt. If your mammogram shows a breast change, sometimes other tests are needed to better understand it. Even if the doctor sees something on the mammogram, it does not mean it is cancer.
As with any medical test, mammograms have limits. These limits include:
They are only part of a complete breast exam. Your doctor also should do a clinical breast exam. If your mammogram finds something abnormal, your doctor will order other tests.
Finding cancer does not always mean saving lives. Even though mammography can detect tumors that cannot be felt, finding a small tumor does not always mean that a woman's life will be saved. Mammography may not help a woman with a fast growing cancer that has already spread to other parts of her body before being found.
False negatives can happen. This means everything may look normal, but cancer is actually present. False negatives don't happen often. Younger women are more likely to have a false negative mammogram than are older women. The dense breasts of younger women make breast cancers harder to find in mammograms.
False positives can happen. This is when the mammogram results look like cancer is present, even though it is not. False positives are more common in younger women, women who have had breast biopsies, women with a family history of breast cancer, and women who are taking estrogen, such as menopausal hormone therapy.
Mammograms (as well as dental x-rays and other routine x-rays) use very small doses of radiation. The risk of any harm is very slight, but repeated x-rays could cause cancer. The benefits nearly always outweigh the risk. Talk to your doctor about the need for each x-ray. Ask about shielding to protect parts of the body that are not in the picture. You should always let your doctor and the technician know if there is any chance that you are pregnant.
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/mammograms [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/mammography [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/mammograms.htm [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/mammograms-fact-sheet [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/breast-changes#ui-id-4 [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ByAudience/ForWomen/WomensHealthTopics/ucm117967.htm [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003380.htm [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.healthline.com/health/birads-score [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/RADS/BI-RADS/Mammography-Reporting.pdf [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (48)
Mammography Fact Sheet
Mammography is an x-ray imaging method used to examine the breast for the early detection of cancer and other breast diseases. It is used as both a diagnostic and screening tool.
Document by www.nibib.nih.gov
Mammograms
Document by Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Top Four Mammogram Myths
Knowing the truth about mammograms could help save your life, or the life of someone you love. Over 60% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed before they spread. Nearly 90% of women who find and treat their breast cancer are cancer-free at five years. Mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 70.
Image by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Screening for Cancer
Common Screening Tests and American Cancer Society Recommendations
Image by TheVisualMD
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Mammography
A woman getting a mammogram, showing a cone in position on her right breast.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Illustrator
Mammography
Image by BruceBlaus
Sensitive content
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Mammogram
An adult female is assisted in a mammogram machine by an African-American technician.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Alan Hoofring (Illustrator)
Woman Having Mammogram
Photograph of woman having mammogram. Mammograms are considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening. Mammography requires the breasts to be compressed between plates while the image is captured. Typically, two views are taken of the breast: cranial-caudal (top to bottom) and mediolateral oblique (angled side view).
Image by TheVisualMD
Mammography
Mammogram being conducted
Image by CDC
Woman Receives Mammogram
An African-American female technician positions a Caucasian woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
A Caucasian female technician positions an Asian woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
A Caucasian female technician positions a Hispanic woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
An Asian female technician positions an African-American woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Mammography Patient
A female technician prepares to give an older Caucasian female patient a mammogram. the patient is preparing for the exam next to machine with technician in background adjusting controls.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography
A woman's breast being compressed to get the optimum mammographic image.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography
A Caucasian female patient, while sitting, is receiving a mammogram with a technician is standing in the background. The conical tip is compressing the right breast and the left breast is visible. Note the older machine.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammography
A Caucasian female patient receives a lateral mammogram treatment. She is lying on her left side with the left breast compressed and she is holding her right breast out of the way so as to not block the x-ray. Note the older methods of the diagnostic procedure.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammography
A female Caucasian radiology technician preparing a 42 year old Caucasian woman for a mammogram. The technician is positioning the paddle that compresses the breast. The patient's face is turned towards the technician, away from the camera, and her right shoulder and breast are exposed.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography
A female Caucasian radiology technician preparing a 42 year old Caucasian woman for a mammogram. The technician is positioning the paddle used to compress the breast. The patient's face is turned towards the technician, away from the camera, with her right shoulder and breast are exposed.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography Patient
A female Caucasian radiology technician preparing a 42 year old Caucasian woman for a mammogram. The technician is positioning the paddle used to compress the breast. The patient's face is turned towards the technician, away from the camera. Her right shoulder is raised obscuring the breast.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
Male Breast Cancer
Senior Airman Elisabeth Stone compresses a male patient's breast tissue during a baseline screening of mammogram at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
Image by Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
Doctor Viewing Mammogram
A doctor examines mammograms on a view box.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (photographer)
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
Title Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts Description A side-by-side of two normal mammograms showing the difference between a dense breast (left) and a fatty breast (right). The dense breast is that of a woman aged 39, the fatty breast is that of a 59-year old woman. Abnormal lesions are easier to detect and diagnose in a fatty breast making mammography more accurate.
Image by Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / National Cancer Institute
Abnormal Mammogram
This abnormal mammogram is not necessarily cancerous. Also seen are calcifications through ductal patterns. Patient would be avised to have follow-up at 3-month intervals.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammogram vs. MRI
A mammography on left and a Magnetic resonance image (MRI) on right. Breast imaging technology has changed over the years. Note MRI's enhancement ability to confirm diagnosis.
Image by Mitchell D. Schnall, M.D., Ph.D. University Of Pennsylvania / Unknown Photographer
Bilateral digital mammography images of the breasts
Bilateral digital mammography images of the breasts; mediolateral oblique view.
Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.
Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.
Image by National Cancer Institute
Duct ectasia of breast
Detail of a mammography showing liponecrosis (round/oval calcifications) and plasma cell mastitis with typical rod-like calcifications
Image by Hellerhoff
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Mammogram - Normal
Breast tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) of the left craniocaudal.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram - Normal
Breast tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) of the left craniocaudal projection.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram - Normal
Breast tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) of the left craniocaudal reconstruction.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram - Normal
Breast tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) of the left mediolateral oblique projection.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
A side-by-side of two normal mammograms showing the difference between a dense breast (left) and a fatty breast (right). The dense breast is that of a woman aged 39, the fatty breast is that of a 59-year old woman. Abnormal lesions are easier to detect and diagnose in a fatty breast making mammography more accurate.
Image by Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / Unknown Photographer
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Thermography of breast
Image by FDA
Mammograms vs Breast Ultrasounds
Video by Lee Health/Vimeo
Breast Density: Higher Risk & New Screening Options
Video by Breast Cancer School for Patients/YouTube
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Mammography: NCI B-roll [video]
NCI B-roll of female patient (simulated) receiving a digital mammogram. This video is intentionally silent. This footage, which was filmed at Sibley Memorial Hospital (a Johns Hopkins affiliate institution), includes images of a technician setting up the equipment, a Caucasian female being positioned to receive a mammogram, and mammography images of of dense breasts and fatty breasts. Downloadable video files are 960x540 at 30 fps. This image is part of the NCI B-Roll Videos collection.
View video using embedded player on this page or at youtube.com.
Video by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
What to Expect -- Digital Mammography
Video by Hologic, Inc./YouTube
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Mammography
Breast radiologist Dr.Gillian Newstead of the University of Chicago Medical Center explains the process of a typical mammogram screening.
Video by TheVisualMD
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Breast Density
Women with dense breast tissue often require a further look with ultrasound for screening. University of Chicago Medical Center breast radiologist Dr. Gillian Newstead and a breast cancer survivor with dense breast tissue explain.
Video by TheVisualMD
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Breast Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the U.S., with about 1 in 8 women developing the disease within her lifetime. Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells that has the potential to spread into the breast and possibly to other parts of the body. Early detection through screening saves the lives of thousands of women every year. If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, women should consider the BReast CAncer susceptibility test (or BRCA) to identify a gene that may indicate an increased risk of developing the disease. Women forty and over should be screened for abnormalities yearly to detect and evaluate changes in breast tissue. If an abnormality is found, a biopsy and pathological exam are necessary for a definitive diagnosis and prognosis. After diagnosis, your doctor may want to learn more about your specific cancer through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and HER2 protein tests. IHC testing can help determine if a specific abnormality is present in the cancer cells. HER2 tests can tell your physician if the breast cancer is turned on by the HER2 gene, and can help determine the best course of treatment. Knowing what type of breast cancer is involved, what stage the cancer is, and the characteristics of that specific cancer, allows a woman's physician to determine best possible therapy for her individual case.
Video by TheVisualMD
A closer look at modern mammography
Video by Siemens Healthineers/YouTube
Mammogram
A mammographic image is displayed on state of the art mammography monitors at the David Grant USAF Medical Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno)
Image by U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno
Nipple Aspirate Test No Substitute for Mammogram
Some companies are marketing a new test—the nipple aspirate test—as the latest and greatest tool in early breast cancer screening. But FDA warns that the nipple aspirate test is no substitute for a mammogram.
Image by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Do More Screening Tests Lead to Better Health? Choosing Wisely
Video by DocMikeEvans/YouTube
New Guidelines for Mammograms
Video by Lee Health/Vimeo
Mammogram questions | Mercy Health
Video by Bon Secours Mercy Health/Vimeo
Getting Screened for Breast Cancer
Video by Lee Health/Vimeo
Mammography Fact Sheet
www.nibib.nih.gov
Mammograms
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Top Four Mammogram Myths
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Screening for Cancer
TheVisualMD
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Illustrator
Mammography
BruceBlaus
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Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Alan Hoofring (Illustrator)
Woman Having Mammogram
TheVisualMD
Mammography
CDC
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Mammography Patient
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
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Mammography Patient
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
Male Breast Cancer
Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
Doctor Viewing Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (photographer)
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / National Cancer Institute
Abnormal Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammogram vs. MRI
Mitchell D. Schnall, M.D., Ph.D. University Of Pennsylvania / Unknown Photographer
Bilateral digital mammography images of the breasts
Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.
National Cancer Institute
Duct ectasia of breast
Hellerhoff
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Mammogram - Normal
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram - Normal
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram - Normal
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram - Normal
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / Unknown Photographer
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Thermography of breast
FDA
1:51
Mammograms vs Breast Ultrasounds
Lee Health/Vimeo
8:30
Breast Density: Higher Risk & New Screening Options
Breast Cancer School for Patients/YouTube
2:39
Mammography: NCI B-roll [video]
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
4:07
What to Expect -- Digital Mammography
Hologic, Inc./YouTube
0:37
Mammography
TheVisualMD
0:43
Breast Density
TheVisualMD
4:57
Breast Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
TheVisualMD
3:37
A closer look at modern mammography
Siemens Healthineers/YouTube
Mammogram
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno
Nipple Aspirate Test No Substitute for Mammogram
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
10:18
Do More Screening Tests Lead to Better Health? Choosing Wisely
DocMikeEvans/YouTube
1:41
New Guidelines for Mammograms
Lee Health/Vimeo
1:08
Mammogram questions | Mercy Health
Bon Secours Mercy Health/Vimeo
1:45
Getting Screened for Breast Cancer
Lee Health/Vimeo
Breast Density
Breast Density Test
Also called: Breast Composition
Mammograms detect breast density, breast cancer, and breast changes that are not cancer (benign breast changes). Dense breasts have a high proportion of ductal and connective tissue, while less-dense breasts have a higher proportion of fatty tissue.
Breast Density Test
Also called: Breast Composition
Mammograms detect breast density, breast cancer, and breast changes that are not cancer (benign breast changes). Dense breasts have a high proportion of ductal and connective tissue, while less-dense breasts have a higher proportion of fatty tissue.
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Your result is (A) Fatty.
Your individual breast density classification on your recent mammogram is almost entirely fatty tissue, which is NOT considered "dense". Unless an area containing cancer is not included in the image field of the mammogram, mammography is highly sensitive in this setting. The sensitivity of mammography for detecting breast cancer decreases as the breast density increases.
Related conditions
https://www.acr.org/-/media/ACR/Files/RADS/BI-RADS/Mammography-Reporting.pdf [accessed on Feb 17, 2019]
https://www.mycdi.com/_asset/5lgdli/CDI-Quality-Institute-Breast-Density-Information-Document-6-15-16.pdf [accessed on Feb 17, 2019]
https://radiopaedia.org/articles/breast-density [accessed on Feb 17, 2019]
https://breast-cancer.ca/densitbi-rads/ [accessed on Feb 17, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Breast MRI
Breast MRI Test
Also called: Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Breast, MRI - Breast, Breast MRI Scan, MRI Screening for Breast Cancer
Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a kind of body scan that uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures of areas inside the breast. A breast MRI may be used to look for breast cancer in women at high risk or to detect other abnormalities in the breast.
Breast MRI Test
Also called: Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Breast, MRI - Breast, Breast MRI Scan, MRI Screening for Breast Cancer
Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a kind of body scan that uses magnets and radio waves to take detailed pictures of areas inside the breast. A breast MRI may be used to look for breast cancer in women at high risk or to detect other abnormalities in the breast.
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health.
Your result is Normal.
MRI provides detailed pictures of the breast. It also provides clear pictures of parts of the breast that are hard to see clearly on an ultrasound or mammogram.
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A breast MRI uses magnets and radio waves to take pictures of the breast. Breast MRI is used along with mammograms to screen women who are at high risk for getting breast cancer. Because breast MRIs may appear abnormal even when there is no cancer, they are not used for women at average risk.
MRI does not use any x-rays and the woman is not exposed to radiation.
MRI may be used as a screening test for women who have a high risk of breast cancer. Factors that put women at high risk include the following:
Certain gene changes, such as changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes.
A family history (first degree relative, such as a mother, daughter or sister) with breast cancer.
Certain genetic syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni or Cowden syndrome.
During the scan, you lie on a table that slides inside a tunnel-shaped machine. Doing the scan can take a long time, and you must stay still. The scan is painless. The MRI machine makes a lot of noise. The technician may offer you earplugs.
If your exam includes a contrast agent, the MRI technologist will place a small intravenous (IV) line in one of your arms. You may feel some coldness when the contrast agent is injected. Be sure to notify the technician if you feel any pain or discomfort.
Before your MRI exam, you will likely be asked to fill out a screening questionnaire. For your safety, answering the questionnaire accurately is extremely important. In particular, make sure you notify the MRI technologist or radiologist if you:
Are pregnant
Have metal or electronic devices in your body, such as a cardiac pacemaker or a metal artificial joint
Have tattoos or drug patches as these can cause skin irritation or burns during the exam
Although MRI does not emit the ionizing radiationthat is found in x-ray and CT imaging, it does employ a strong magnetic field. The magnetic field extends beyond the machine and exerts very powerful forces on objects of iron, some steels, and other magnetizable objects; it is strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room.
An MRI is more likely than mammography to find a breast mass that is not cancer.
Women with dense breasts who have supplemental screening (for example, an MRI) show higher rates of breast cancer detection, but there is limited evidence about whether this leads to better health outcomes.
For women with a high risk of developing breast cancer (a genetic mutation or strong family history of breast cancer), a more aggressive schedule of screening may be advisable. High-risk women are more likely to develop breast cancer before the age of 40, when women normally start having screening mammograms. They're also more likely to have fast-growing cancers that can develop between mammograms. Mammograms are less effective in younger women because their breasts tend to be more dense, making mammogram images harder to read. In addition, some types of tumors that high-risk women may develop are less apparent on mammograms.
Breast MRI doesn't use X-rays or expose the patient to radiation. It uses magnetic energy and radiowaves to produce hundreds of images of the breast from multiple angles. Unlike mammograms, MRI can produce images of breast implants and tissue that may be obscured behind them. Breast MRIs use a contrast agent called gadolinium, injected through an intravenous (IV) line, that causes tumors to "light up" in the MRI image.
Women at high risk may want to talk to their doctor about supplementing their mammogram screenings with MRI screening, beginning at age 30. MRI screening can detect even very small tumors, and can find tumors even in very dense breasts. (On the other hand, mammograms are better able to find cases of ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS], considered to be a precursor to invasive breast cancer.) The combined sensitivity of MRI plus mammography is about 95%, meaning that together they catch about 95% of cancerous lesions in the breast.
However, MRI screening isn't appropriate for women at average risk. MRIs are very expensive, costing about 10 times what a mammogram costs. They are considered invasive because a contrast agent is injected. MRI exams also generate a number of false-positive results (suspicious areas that warrant further investigation, but turn out not to be cancer). One study showed that MRI screening led to twice as many unneeded additional exams and three times as many unneeded biopsies. These drawbacks make MRIs an impractical tool for women who aren't particularly likely to develop breast cancer. But for women at high risk, the false positives are a worthwhile tradeoff. For these women, the first priority is to detect cancer early.
https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast/patient/breast-screening-pdq [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007360.htm [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000837.htm [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://medlineplus.gov/mriscans.html [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/mri-magnetic-resonance-imaging/what-patients-should-know-having-mri-exam [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/breast-mri-scans.html [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/breastmr [accessed on Feb 25, 2022]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Thermogram
Thermogram vs Mammogram
Image by FDA
Thermogram vs Mammogram
A mammogram (L) is an X-ray image of the breast that can identify tissue types with different densities, such as masses within the breast. Thermography (R) produces an infrared image that shows the patterns of heat on or near the surface of the body.
Image by FDA
Breast Cancer Screening: Thermogram No Substitute for Mammogram
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding you that mammography (low-dose X-ray imaging of the breast) is still the most effective primary breast cancer screening test. Proper breast cancer screening lets health care providers check for cancer even before there may be signs and symptoms of the disease.
The FDA has received reports from health care providers and patients that some health centers are providing information that can mislead patients into believing thermography, a type of test that shows patterns of heat on or near the surface of the body, is a proven alternative to mammography. But the FDA is not aware of any scientific evidence to support these claims.
Thermography has not been shown to be effective as a standalone test for either breast cancer screening or diagnosis in detecting early stage breast cancer. Mammography is still the most effective primary screening method for detecting breast cancer in its early, most treatable stages.
More About Misleading Thermography Claims and FDA Actions to Protect the Public
The FDA regulates the medical devices used for breast cancer screening.
About 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer sometime in their lives, reports the National Cancer Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Men can develop breast cancer, but it happens much less often than in women. Early detection of breast cancer by using mammography reduces the risk of breast cancer death and increases treatment options, according to the American Cancer Society.
One of the greatest dangers from thermography is that those who opt for this method instead of mammography may miss the chance to detect breast cancer at its earliest stage.
Thermography devices have only been cleared by the FDA as an “adjunctive” tool, referring to use alongside a primary screening test like mammography. Patients who undergo a thermography test alone should not be reassured of the findings because the device was not cleared to be used other than with another testing method like mammography.
Moreover, some websites claim thermography can find breast cancer years before it would be detected through other methods, and they have unproven claims about improved detection of cancer in dense breasts. The FDA is not aware of any evidence that supports these claims.
The FDA has taken regulatory action (including issuing warning letters) against health care providers and thermography device manufacturers who have tried to mislead patients into believing that thermography can take the place of mammography. To protect the public health, the FDA’s regulatory actions can include scheduling a regulatory meeting, sending a warning letter or other correspondence, conducting an establishment inspection, or other actions as appropriate.
The FDA continues to monitor this situation.
Advice for Patients Getting Breast Cancer Screening
Some women have sought out thermography because it is painless and does not require exposure to radiation.
If you are worried about how a mammogram feels, talk to your health care provider about what you can expect. A mammogram can be uncomfortable for the person being screened because it briefly presses on the breast to spread the breast tissue and increase the clarity of the X-ray image.
Also talk to your health care provider if you have specific questions about mammography, including questions about when and how frequently you should be screened. As a rule, you should also call your health care provider if you notice any change in either of your breasts such as a lump, thickening of or leakage from the nipple, or changes in how the nipple looks.
Source: FDA Consumer Health Information
Additional Materials (3)
Thermography VS Mammogram
Video by Synapse: Center for Health & Healing/YouTube
Breast cancer survivor shares cautionary tale about thermography | GMA
Video by Good Morning America/YouTube
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Thermography of breast
Image by FDA
4:31
Thermography VS Mammogram
Synapse: Center for Health & Healing/YouTube
7:50
Breast cancer survivor shares cautionary tale about thermography | GMA
Good Morning America/YouTube
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Thermography of breast
FDA
Ultrasound
Breast Ultrasound
Also called: Breast Ultrasonography, Breast Sonogram, Ultrasound - Breast
A breast ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless, and risk-free imaging test in which an ultrasound machine is used to evaluate your breast tissue.
Breast Ultrasound
Also called: Breast Ultrasonography, Breast Sonogram, Ultrasound - Breast
A breast ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless, and risk-free imaging test in which an ultrasound machine is used to evaluate your breast tissue.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
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Your result is Normal.
A normal result means that no abnormalities or masses were found in your breast tissue.
Related conditions
A breast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses an ultrasound machine to evaluate your breasts.
This test is most helpful to differentiate a solid mass (such as a tumor) from a fluid-filled mass (such as a cyst).
Your doctor may want to order this test in the following situations:
As the first test to examine young women (usually less than 35-year-old) who have breast symptoms, such as pain, lumps, or abnormal nipple discharge
As a follow-up test if a clinical breast exam or mammogram has revealed an abnormality
To evaluate breast tissue that is obscured by breast implants
To evaluate breast tissue in pregnant women
To guide the placement of a needle during breast biopsies
It is important to point out that a breast ultrasound is not usually done to screen for breast cancer because some early signs of cancer can be easily missed with this test.
You will be asked to remove your bra and lie down on your back with your chest exposed. Then, a healthcare practitioner will place a triangular sponge behind your shoulder, so that you are slightly tilted onto your side.
Then, a water-based gel will be applied on the skin of one of your breasts, and a small probe will be used to visualize your breast tissue on a screen. This will be repeated on the other breast as well.
Your axilla (armpit) will also be examined during the test to assess for any lumps or enlarged lymph glands.
The procedure usually takes no more than 30 minutes, and there is no need for an anesthetic because it’s painless.
No special preparations are needed. You may want to wear a two-piece outfit so that only your top has to be removed during the test.
There are no risks related to a breast ultrasound test.
A normal result means that no abnormalities or masses were found in your breast tissue.
An abnormal result indicates that a problem was detected, including but not limited to:
Cysts, which are fluid-filled sacs
Solid tumors, which can be cancerous or non-cancerous
Fibroadenomas (non-cancerous solid growths)
Lipomas (non-cancerous fatty tumors)
This test can provide information about the location, size, and structure of breast tumors, but cannot provide a definite diagnosis of cancer.
https://www.insideradiology.com.au/breast-ultrasound/ [accessed on Mar 12, 2019]
https://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/breast-ultrasound [accessed on Mar 12, 2019]
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gynecology/breast_ultrasound_92,p07764 [accessed on Mar 12, 2019]
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003379.htm [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://ww5.komen.org/BreastCancer/Ultrasound.html [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/breast/nys_breast_cancer_faqs.htm [accessed on Feb 16, 2019]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (7)
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
If a woman has symptoms of breast cancer (such as a lump), or if a suspicious area is found in an imaging exam, the next step is to physically examine the breasts by noting any changes in their appearance and palpating the breast and the underarm region. A complete physical exam may be done as well. If symptoms or results of these exams suggest cancer might be present, then further tests will be done. (Note: The following diagnostic procedures are common to the US; procedures may vary in other countries.)
Image by TheVisualMD
Tubular carcinoma of breast ultrasound
Ultrasound images of tubular carcinoma of breast. Tonemapped
A breast biopsy is a test that can confirm or rule out breast cancer. It is used if other breast tests or a physical exam show you might have breast cancer. There are three main types of breast biopsy procedures: fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, and surgical biopsy.
Breast Biopsy
Also called: Biopsy of the Breast
A breast biopsy is a test that can confirm or rule out breast cancer. It is used if other breast tests or a physical exam show you might have breast cancer. There are three main types of breast biopsy procedures: fine-needle aspiration, core needle biopsy, and surgical biopsy.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Normal.
A normal biopsy means that no cancer or abnormal cells were found.
Related conditions
A breast biopsy is a procedure that removes a sample of breast tissue so that it can be checked for signs of disease. A doctor called a pathologist looks at the tissue under a microscope to diagnose breast cancer and other breast diseases.
Breast cancer is cancer that forms in the milk ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and the lobules (the small lobes of breast tissue that make milk). Breast cancer is much more common in women, but men can get it, too. Not much is known about breast cancer risk in transgender people. If you are transgender, talk with your provider about your risk.
There are different ways to do a breast biopsy. Some methods remove breast tissue with a needle and others use a small incision (cut) in your skin to remove part or all of the suspicious tissue.
Most people who need a breast biopsy don't have cancer.
Other names: core needle biopsy; core biopsy, breast; fine-needle aspiration; open surgery biopsy
A breast biopsy is the only way to find out whether a suspicious change in your breast is cancer. You may have a biopsy after other breast tests, such as a physical breast exam or a mammogram, show signs that could be breast cancer.
You may need a breast biopsy if:
You or your health care provider felt a lump, thickening, or other change in your breast.
A mammogram, ultrasound, or MRI test shows a lump, calcium deposits, or other signs that might mean cancer.
The skin on your breast or nipple is red, scaly, or swollen, or your nipple is pulled inward.
You have a discharge of abnormal fluid coming from your nipple.
If your provider suggests that you have a breast biopsy, it doesn't mean you have breast cancer. Most breast lumps and other changes that are checked with biopsies turn out to be benign, which means they are not cancer.
There are three main types of breast biopsy procedures. They are usually done on an outpatient basis, which means you go home the same day:
Fine needle aspiration biopsy uses a very thin needle to remove a sample of breast cells or fluid. The biopsy takes about 15 minutes.
Core needle biopsy uses a wide needle to remove one or more small tissue samples about the size of a grain of rice. Sometimes a small vacuum probe is used instead of a needle. The device gently suctions some tissue and removes it with a small rotating blade. A core needle biopsy takes between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on how it's done.
Surgical biopsy (or open biopsy) is surgery to remove all or part of a lump. The biopsy usually takes about an hour.
Biopsies are often done using mammography, ultrasound, MRI, or x-rays to help see exactly where to take the tissue sample. Your procedure will vary depending on which method is used to guide the biopsy, but the general steps are usually the same.
For a fine needle aspiration biopsy or a core needle biopsy:
Your provider will clean the skin on your breast and give you a shot of medicine to numb the area, so you won't feel any pain. The shot may sting briefly.
You may be sitting or lying down. If images are used to guide the biopsy, you may lie on your side, back, or belly with your breast over an opening on the table.
For a fine needle aspiration biopsy, your provider will insert the needle into the biopsy site and remove a sample of cells or fluid. For a core biopsy, a tiny cut may be made to insert a wide needle or a vacuum device. You may feel a little pressure when the sample or samples are removed.
Pressure will be applied to area until the bleeding stops.
Your provider will cover the biopsy site with a sterile bandage. If you had a small incision, small strips of medical tape may be used to close the wound.
For a surgical biopsy:
You'll lie on an operating table. You may have an IV (intravenous line) in your arm or hand that may be used to give you medicine to relax. The skin over the biopsy area will be cleaned.
To prevent pain, you'll have either:
A shot of medicine to numb your breast. The shot may sting briefly.
General anesthesia, which is medicine given through an IV to make you sleep.
When you are numb or asleep, the surgeon will make a small cut in your breast tissue to remove part or all of the lump. In certain cases, tissue around the lump may also be removed. This may help avoid the need for more surgery if cancer cells are found in the lump.
The cut in your skin will be closed with small strips of medical tape or stitches and covered with a sterile bandage.
The type of biopsy you have will depend on:
The size and location of the suspicious tissue in your breast
How many areas of your breast are involved
How abnormal the tissue looks on a mammogram or other image
Your general health and preferences
Ask your provider about why you need a biopsy and which type is right for you.
Your provider will give you instructions for how to prepare for your biopsy. If you take any blood thinners, including aspirin, you may need to stop taking them before your biopsy. Tell your provider about all the medicines and supplements you take. Don't stop or start taking anything without talking with your provider first.
If you're having general anesthesia, you will probably need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before surgery. If you have general anesthesia or medicine to relax, you may be groggy after the procedure, so plan to have someone take you home.
It's common to have some bruising and temporary discomfort after a breast biopsy. Possible risks include:
Infection, which can be treated with antibiotics
Bleeding
Your provider will give you instructions for how to care for biopsy area and manage any discomfort. If you're having general anesthesia, talk with your provider about how it may affect you. General anesthesia is very safe even for most people with other health conditions.
It may take several days to a week to get your biopsy results. The results are called a pathology report. The report is written for your provider and will include a lot of medical terms. Your provider can explain what your report means.
The most important part of your report will be the diagnosis. In general, your results will be one of these categories:
Normal. No cancer or abnormal cells were found.
Abnormal breast changes that aren't cancer and don't increase your risk for breast cancer. Some of these conditions often get better on their own and others may need treatment.
Abnormal breast changes that increase your risk for breast cancer. These cells are not cancer, but if you have them, you are more likely to develop cancer.
If you had a needle biopsy that diagnosed a condition that increases your breast cancer risk, you may need a surgical biopsy to remove all the abnormal tissue. To find out what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk, you will likely see a doctor who specializes in breast cancer.
Breast cancer. If your biopsy finds cancer cells, your report will include details about how fast the cancer cells are growing, how much they look like normal cells, and other information to help plan the most effective treatment for your type of cancer. Usually, a doctor who specializes in breast cancer will provide your care.
Breast Biopsy: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Mar 22, 2022]
Having a Breast Biopsy | Effective Health Care (EHC) Program [accessed on Mar 22, 2022]
Normal reference ranges can vary depending on the laboratory and the method used for testing. You must use the range supplied by the laboratory that performed your test to evaluate whether your results are "within normal limits."
Additional Materials (13)
PreOp® Breast Biopsy Wire Guide Patient Education - Patient Engagement
Video by PreOp.com Patient Engagement - Patient Education/YouTube
How a core breast biopsy is taken
Video by Bupa Health UK/YouTube
Stereotactic Biopsies for Breast Evaluation | UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Video by UPMC/YouTube
What It’s Like to Get a Breast Biopsy
Video by RAYUS Radiology™/YouTube
Ultrasound-guided core-needle breast biopsy
Video by Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics/YouTube
Having a breast biopsy. A review of the research for women and thier families (2016 report)
This information is right for you if: -- You are a woman. The information in this summary is from
research on women. -- Your doctor has found a breast lump or shadow on your mammogram and has recommended a breast biopsy.
Document by effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov
Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy 1
Ultrasound image of possible breast tumor before biopsy. The procedure is performed by a radiologist and sonographer. A local anesthetic is injected into the breast. The transducer is pressed to the breast and the suspicious area is located. The biopsy needle is inserted in the breast and guided in realtime by watching its movement through the breast on a computer monitor. The tissue sample is taken and the needle is removed.
Image by TheVisualMD
Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy 2
Ultrasound image of possible breast tumor showing core needle penetrating suspicious breast lesion during biopsy. The procedure is performed by a radiologist and sonographer. A local anesthetic is injected into the breast. The transducer is pressed to the breast and the suspicious area is located. The biopsy needle is inserted in the breast and guided in realtime by watching its movement through the breast on a computer monitor. The tissue sample is taken and the needle is removed.
Image by TheVisualMD
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Needle Biopsy
Adult Black female breast visible. Physician's hands are seen performing a needle biopsy to determine nature of lump either fluid-filled cyst or solid tumor.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Linda Bartlett (Photographer)
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Biopsy
A Caucasian woman patient is being operated on. Her nipple is being incised by the surgeon. The male surgeon and an operating room attendant are visible. A surgical biopsy is being performed to determine exact nature of solid tumor.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Linda Bartlett (Photographer)
Breast Biopsy
Image Caption : Needle Breast Biopsy
Image by BruceBlaus
Mammotome
Mammotome probe - biopsy
Image by Waglione/Wikimedia
This browser does not support the video element.
Breast Cancer Biopsy
If a woman has symptoms of breast cancer (such as a lump), or if a suspicious area is found in an imaging exam, the next step is to physically examine the breasts by noting any changes in their appearance and palpating the breast and the underarm region. A complete physical exam may be done as well. If symptoms or results of these exams suggest cancer might be present, then further tests will be done. (Note: The following diagnostic procedures are common to the US; procedures may vary in other countries.)
Video by TheVisualMD
2:22
PreOp® Breast Biopsy Wire Guide Patient Education - Patient Engagement
Stereotactic Biopsies for Breast Evaluation | UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
UPMC/YouTube
3:57
What It’s Like to Get a Breast Biopsy
RAYUS Radiology™/YouTube
1:29
Ultrasound-guided core-needle breast biopsy
Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics/YouTube
Having a breast biopsy. A review of the research for women and thier families (2016 report)
effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov
Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy 1
TheVisualMD
Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy 2
TheVisualMD
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Needle Biopsy
National Cancer Institute / Linda Bartlett (Photographer)
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Biopsy
National Cancer Institute / Linda Bartlett (Photographer)
Breast Biopsy
BruceBlaus
Mammotome
Waglione/Wikimedia
0:56
Breast Cancer Biopsy
TheVisualMD
Possible Harms
Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
Image by TheVisualMD
Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis
We worked with a group of leading clinical oncologists to develop a comprehensive program on screening for colon, breast, cervical, and prostate cancer. The message is aimed at general practitioners and their patients.
Image by TheVisualMD
What Are the Possible Harms of Breast Cancer Screening?
Screening tests can have harms.
Not all breast cancers will cause death or illness in a woman's lifetime, so they may not need to be found or treated.
Decisions about screening tests can be difficult. Not all screening tests are helpful and most have harms. Before having any screening test, you may want to discuss the test with your doctor. It is important to know the harms of the test and whether it has been proven to reduce the risk of dying from cancer.
The harms of mammography include the following:
False-positive test results can occur.
Screening test results may appear to be abnormal even though no cancer is present. A false-positive test result (one that shows there is cancer when there really isn’t) is usually followed by more tests (such as biopsy), which also have risks.
When a breast biopsy result is abnormal, getting a second opinion from a different pathologist may confirm a correct breast cancer diagnosis.
Most abnormal test results turn out not to be cancer. False-positive results are more common in the following:
Younger women (under age 50).
Women who have had previous breast biopsies.
Women with a family history of breast cancer.
Women who take hormones for menopause.
False-positive results are more likely the first time screening mammography is done than with later screenings. For every ten women who have a single mammogram, one will have a false-positive result. The chance of having a false-positive result goes up the more mammograms a woman has. Comparing a current mammogram with a past mammogram lowers the risk of a false-positive result.
The skill of the radiologist also can affect the chance of a false-positive result.
False-positive results can lead to extra testing and cause anxiety.
If a mammogram is abnormal, more tests may be done to diagnose cancer. Women can become anxious during the diagnostic testing. Even if it is a false-positive test and cancer is not diagnosed, the result can lead to anxiety anywhere from a few days to years later.
Several studies show that women who feel anxiety after false-positive test results are more likely to schedule regular breast screening exams in the future.
False-negative test results can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Screening test results may appear to be normal even though breast cancer is present. This is called a false-negative test result. A woman who has a false-negative test result may delay seeking medical care even if she has symptoms. About one in 5 cancers are missed by mammography.
The chance of a false-negative test result is more common in women who:
Are younger.
Have dense breast tissue.
Have cancer that is not dependent on hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
Have cancer that is fast growing.
Finding breast cancer may lead to breast cancer treatment and side effects, but it may not improve a woman's health or help her live longer.
Some breast cancers found only by screening mammography may never cause health problems or become life-threatening. Finding these cancers is called overdiagnosis. When these cancers are found, having treatment may cause serious side effects and may not lead to a longer, healthier life.
Mammography exposes the breast to low doses of radiation.
Being exposed to high radiation doses is a risk factor for breast cancer. The radiation dose with a mammogram is very low. Women who start getting mammograms after age 50 have very little risk that the overall exposure to radiation from mammograms throughout their lives will cause harm. Women with large breasts or with breast implants may be exposed to slightly higher radiation doses during screening mammography.
There may be pain or discomfort during a mammogram.
During a mammogram, the breast is placed between two plates that are pressed together. Pressing the breast helps to get a better x-ray of the breast. Some women have pain or discomfort during a mammogram. The amount of pain may also depend on the following:
The phase of the woman's menstrual cycle.
The woman's anxiety level.
How much pain the woman expected.
Talk to your doctor about your risk of breast cancer and your need for screening tests.
Talk to your doctor or other care provider about your risk of breast cancer, whether a screening test is right for you, and the benefits and harms of the screening test. You should take part in the decision about whether you want to have a screening test, based on what is best for you.
Source: PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Breast Cancer Screening. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute.
Additional Materials (7)
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BRCA: Self Examination
A woman who has high-risk mutations of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes is not absolutely destined to get cancer. Cancer almost always has an environmental as well as genetic component; early detection, preventive surgery and drug therapies can also play roles.
Image by TheVisualMD
Doctor talking to patient
Image by MART PRODUCTION/Pexels
When to Get Breast Cancer Screening
Video by MaineHealth/YouTube
The Importance of Breast Cancer Screening
Video by MaineHealth/YouTube
MRIs of dense breasts find more cancer, false positives
Video by CBC News: The National/YouTube
Study Finds Half Of Women Get False Positives Over 10 Years Of Annual Breast Cancer Screening
Video by CBS Sacramento/YouTube
Consequences of False Positive Mammogram Results
Video by NutritionFacts.org/YouTube
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BRCA: Self Examination
TheVisualMD
Doctor talking to patient
MART PRODUCTION/Pexels
0:39
When to Get Breast Cancer Screening
MaineHealth/YouTube
0:26
The Importance of Breast Cancer Screening
MaineHealth/YouTube
2:21
MRIs of dense breasts find more cancer, false positives
CBC News: The National/YouTube
2:13
Study Finds Half Of Women Get False Positives Over 10 Years Of Annual Breast Cancer Screening
CBS Sacramento/YouTube
4:22
Consequences of False Positive Mammogram Results
NutritionFacts.org/YouTube
What Do Results Mean
Bilateral digital mammography images of the breasts
A screening mammogram can find signs of breast cancer and tumors that are too small to feel.
If your mammogram results were normal: Your breast tissue shows no signs of a mass or calcification.
If your mammogram results were abnormal: An abnormal breast change was found. Although many breast changes found on a mammogram are benign (not cancer), it’s important to get the follow-up tests advised by your doctor or nurse.
If you don’t get your mammogram results: Call your doctor or nurse.
Understanding your mammogram report
It’s important to understand your mammogram results. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you have questions about what your mammogram letter means. Be sure you understand the findings and the recommended next steps you need to take. Mammogram reports use the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) to report findings, shown in the table below.
Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS)
Category
Finding (assessment)
Recommended next steps
0
Need additional imaging evaluation
Additional imaging needed before a category can be assigned
1
Negative
Continue regular screening mammograms
2
Benign (not cancer)
Continue regular screening mammograms
3
Probably benign
Receive a 6-month follow-up mammogram
4
Suspicious abnormality
May require biopsy
5
Highly suggestive of malignancy (cancer)
Requires biopsy
6
Known biopsy-proven malignancy (cancer)
Biopsy confirms presence of cancer before treatment begins
Learn more and get answers to commonly asked questions about mammograms.
What can a mammogram show?
Mammograms can show a mass (breast lump), calcification, and other changes; they also show breast density. The radiologistwill study the mammogram for changes that do not look normal and for differences between your breasts. When possible, your most recent mammogram will be compared with past mammograms to check for changes in breast tissue since your last mammogram.
These images are examples of breast changes that may be seen on a mammogram. A normal mammogram picture is shown in the first image. A breast cancer picture is shown in the last image. Credit: National Cancer Institute
Mass (also called a breast lump): The size, shape, and edges of a lump give the radiologist important information. A lump that is not cancer often looks smooth and round and has clear, defined edges. Lumps that look like this are often cysts and are not cancer. However, if the lump on the mammogram has a jagged outline, an irregular shape, or other unusual features, it is of more concern and more tests may be needed.
Calcifications are deposits of calcium in the breast. They are too small to be felt but can be seen on a mammogram. There are two types:
Macrocalcifications look like small white dots on a mammogram. They are often caused by aging, an old injury, or inflammation and are usually benign (not cancer).
Microcalcifications look like white specks on a mammogram. If found in an area of rapidly dividing cells or grouped together in a certain way, they may be a sign of DCIS or breast cancer. Calcium in your diet does not cause breast calcifications.
Breast density is a description of the relative amounts of dense and fatty tissue on a mammogram. Mammography is less sensitive in women with dense breasts—that is, it is more likely to miss cancer. Women with dense breasts also have an increased risk of developing, but not dying from, breast cancer. Learn what it means to have dense breasts.
Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Additional Materials (48)
Mammograms MED-SEG
The left image shows an original mammogram before MED-SEG processing. The image on the right, with region of interest (white) labeled, shows a mammogram after MED-SEG processing.
Image by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia
Mammography
Breast radiologist Dr.Gillian Newstead of the University of Chicago Medical Center explains the process of a typical mammogram screening.
Image by TheVisualMD
Mammogram vs. MRI
Title Mammogram vs. MRI Description A mammography on left and a Magnetic resonance image (MRI) on right. Breast imaging technology has changed over the years. Note MRI's enhancement ability to confirm diagnosis.
Image by Mitchell D. Schnall, M.D., Ph.D. University Of Pennsylvania
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
Title Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts Description A side-by-side of two normal mammograms showing the difference between a dense breast (left) and a fatty breast (right). The dense breast is that of a woman aged 39, the fatty breast is that of a 59-year old woman. Abnormal lesions are easier to detect and diagnose in a fatty breast making mammography more accurate.
Image by Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / National Cancer Institute
Mammogram Showing Normal Fatty Breast
A mammogram of a normal fatty breast, typical of older women. Diagnosis of abnormal lesions or cancer is more accurate in non-dense breasts.
Image by Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute
Mammography
Mammogram being conducted
Image by CDC
Woman Having Mammogram
Photograph of woman having mammogram. Mammograms are considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening. Mammography requires the breasts to be compressed between plates while the image is captured. Typically, two views are taken of the breast: cranial-caudal (top to bottom) and mediolateral oblique (angled side view).
Image by TheVisualMD
Mammogram of Breast with Possible Cancer Tumor
Breast mammogram revealing possible cancer tumor. Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast on film. Screening mammograms typically image the breast from above and from an angled side view. Yearly mammograms are recommended for women 40 and over. Women at high risk should have an MRI scan and a mammogram every year, beginning at age 30. Mammograms can also be used for diagnosis of cancer and to guide biopsy of suspicious lesions.
Image by TheVisualMD
Cancer Staging
Foods demonstrating the average size of breast tumors when discovered by touch vs found through imaging. Different Foods Showing Sizes of Tumors Found by Touch vs Imaging : Left to right: 1) Breast calcifications are too small to be felt but can be seen as white spots on a mammogram. 2) Average size of lump detected with routine mammogram: .43 inches/1.1 cm (blueberry). 3) Average size of lump detected with first mammogram: .59 inches/1.5 cm (hazelnut). 4) Average size of lump found by regular breast self-exam: .83 inches/2.1 cm (grape). 5) Average size of lump found accidentally: 1.42 inches/3.6 cm (strawberry).
Image by TheVisualMD
Mammogram shows BioZorb surgical marker implanted in the breast
Mammogram shows BioZorb surgical marker implanted in the breast
Image by Unseen remnant/Wikimedia
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BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Examination
Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast on film. Screening mammograms typically image the breast from above and from an angled side view. Yearly mammograms are recommended for women 40 and over. Women at high risk should have an MRI scan and a mammogram every year, beginning at age 30. Mammograms can also be used for diagnosis of cancer and to guide biopsy of suspicious lesions. The National Cancer Institute estimates that women with certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a 60% lifetime risk of breast cancer, which is five times higher than the general population. Only 0.2% of women have these specific mutations. Women who test negative for high-risk mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes still have a 12% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 1.4% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, which means the most of these cancers are caused by factors other than BRCA genes.
Image by TheVisualMD
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Mammogram Technician
Jennifer Oubre, a certified mammogram technician at Naval Health Clinic Corpus Christi in Texas, validates a patient’s identity to prevent wrong-patient error prior to administering a mammogram, April 21, 2017.
Image by Bill W. Love, Navy
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Mammography
Breast cancer : A mammogram showing a small cancerous lesion as well as calcific deposits in veins.
Image by National Cancer Institute
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Mammography
A woman getting a mammogram, showing a cone in position on her right breast.
Image by National Cancer Institute
Mammography
Image by BruceBlaus
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A series of six illustrations showing how to do breast self examination (BSE)
A series of six illustrations showing how to do breast self examination (BSE)
Image by National Cancer Institute
CA 15-3: Breast Tumor Size When Found by Imaging or Touch
The foods in the image represent the average size of breast cancer tumors when discovered by mammogram, by regular breast self-exam, or by accident. Breast calcifications too small to be felt can be seen as white spots on a mammogram, as shown by the sesame seeds (far left). The blueberry represents the average size of a lump detected by routine mammogram (.43 inches/1.1 cm). The hazelnut shows average tumor size when discovered in a first mammogram (.59 inches/1.5 cm). The grape represents average tumor size when detected by regular breast self-exam (.83 inches/2.1 cm), and the strawberry shows average tumor size when found accidentally (1.42 inches/3.6 cm).
Image by TheVisualMD
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Mammogram Showing Normal Fatty Breast
A mammogram of a normal fatty breast, typical of older women. Diagnosis of abnormal lesions or cancer is more accurate in non-dense breasts.
Image by Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.
Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.
Image by National Cancer Institute
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Mammogram Showing Normal Dense Breasts
Two mammograms of normal dense breasts. A dense breast makes a mammographic image difficult to read when and if cancerous lesions are present. These images are typical of breast of younger women.Topics/Categories Anatomy -- Breast Test or Procedure -- Imaging ProceduresType B&W, PhotoSource Dr. Dwight Kaufman. Division Of Cancer Treatment
Image by Unknown photographer/National Cancer Institute
Digital Mammography
Bilateral digital mammography images of the breasts; mediolateral oblique view
Image by Nevit Dilmen (talk)
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Mammography
A woman's breast being compressed to get the optimum mammographic image.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
Digital Mammography
Digital Mammography
Image by Copyright Nevit Dilmen
Male Breast Cancer
Senior Airman Elisabeth Stone compresses a male patient's breast tissue during a baseline screening of mammogram at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
Image by Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
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Mammogram
An adult female is assisted in a mammogram machine by an African-American technician.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Alan Hoofring (Illustrator)
Mammogram with Subtle Cancer
A mammogram showing subtle cancer.
Image by Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammogram with Obvious Cancer
A mammogram of a fatty breast with an obvious cancer, indicated by an arrow.
Image by Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Woman Receives Mammogram
An Asian female technician positions an African-American woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
An African-American female technician positions a Caucasian woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Abnormal Mammogram
This abnormal mammogram is not necessarily cancerous. Also seen are calcifications through ductal patterns. Patient would be avised to have follow-up at 3-month intervals.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Mammogram Showing Fibrocystic Disease
Mammogram showing thickenings typical of fibrocystic disease. Also seen are ductal patterns.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Nipple Aspirate Test No Substitute for Mammogram
Some companies are marketing a new test—the nipple aspirate test—as the latest and greatest tool in early breast cancer screening. But FDA warns that the nipple aspirate test is no substitute for a mammogram.
Image by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Mammography
Mammogram: Normal Vs. Cancerous Comparison
Image by NIH
Mammogram
Regular mammograms are the best tests doctors have to find breast cancer early.
Image by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Mammogram - Normal
Breast tomosynthesis (3D Mammography) of the left craniocaudal.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
A side-by-side of two normal mammograms showing the difference between a dense breast (left) and a fatty breast (right). The dense breast is that of a woman aged 39, the fatty breast is that of a 59-year old woman. Abnormal lesions are easier to detect and diagnose in a fatty breast making mammography more accurate.
Image by Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / Unknown Photographer
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Mammogram Showing Normal Dense Breasts
Two mammograms of normal dense breasts. A dense breast makes a mammographic image difficult to read when and if cancerous lesions are present. These images are typical of breast of younger women.
Image by Dr. Dwight Kaufman. Division Of Cancer Treatment / Unknown Photographer
Doctor Viewing Mammogram
A doctor examines mammograms on a view box.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (photographer)
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Mammography
A Caucasian female patient, while sitting, is receiving a mammogram with a technician is standing in the background. The conical tip is compressing the right breast and the left breast is visible. Note the older machine.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Mammography Patient
A female technician prepares to give an older Caucasian female patient a mammogram. the patient is preparing for the exam next to machine with technician in background adjusting controls.
Image by National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
Top Four Mammogram Myths
Knowing the truth about mammograms could help save your life, or the life of someone you love. Over 60% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed before they spread. Nearly 90% of women who find and treat their breast cancer are cancer-free at five years. Mammograms can help reduce the number of deaths from breast cancer among women ages 40 to 70.
Image by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Nurse examines mammogram image of patient during exam.
Mammograms are still the best primary tool for breast cancer screening. To continue to protect women's health, the FDA is proposing updates to the mammography regulations to reflect advances in mammography technology and processes.
Image by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Nipple Aspirator Warning 350x663
Some companies are marketing the nipple aspirate test as the latest and greatest tool in early breast cancer screening. But FDA warns that the nipple aspirate test is no substitute for a mammogram. Find out why.
Image by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Screening for Cancer
Common Screening Tests and American Cancer Society Recommendations
Image by TheVisualMD
Polanda
Digital mammogram (Mediolateral view) showing absence of the pectoralis major muscle and architectural distortion on the left side and normal right breast.
Image by M Salhab et al/Wikimedia
Screening for Cancer, cancer screening
Image by TheVisualMD
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Screening for Cancer
Image by TheVisualMD
Mammogram
A mammographic image is displayed on state of the art mammography monitors at the David Grant USAF Medical Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno)
Image by U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno
Mammograms MED-SEG
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Wikimedia
Mammography
TheVisualMD
Mammogram vs. MRI
Mitchell D. Schnall, M.D., Ph.D. University Of Pennsylvania
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / National Cancer Institute
Mammogram Showing Normal Fatty Breast
Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute
Mammography
CDC
Woman Having Mammogram
TheVisualMD
Mammogram of Breast with Possible Cancer Tumor
TheVisualMD
Cancer Staging
TheVisualMD
Mammogram shows BioZorb surgical marker implanted in the breast
Unseen remnant/Wikimedia
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BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Examination
TheVisualMD
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Mammogram Technician
Bill W. Love, Navy
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute
Mammography
BruceBlaus
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A series of six illustrations showing how to do breast self examination (BSE)
National Cancer Institute
CA 15-3: Breast Tumor Size When Found by Imaging or Touch
TheVisualMD
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Mammogram Showing Normal Fatty Breast
Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Normal (left) versus cancerous (right) mammography image.
National Cancer Institute
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Mammogram Showing Normal Dense Breasts
Unknown photographer/National Cancer Institute
Digital Mammography
Nevit Dilmen (talk)
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
Digital Mammography
Copyright Nevit Dilmen
Male Breast Cancer
Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera
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Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Alan Hoofring (Illustrator)
Mammogram with Subtle Cancer
Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
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Mammogram with Obvious Cancer
Dr. Dwight Kaufman. National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Woman Receives Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Rhoda Baer (Photographer)
Abnormal Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Mammogram Showing Fibrocystic Disease
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Nipple Aspirate Test No Substitute for Mammogram
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Mammography
NIH
Mammogram
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Mammogram - Normal
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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Mammogram Showing Dense And Fatty Breasts
Dr. Kathy Cho. NIH Radiology / Unknown Photographer
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Mammogram Showing Normal Dense Breasts
Dr. Dwight Kaufman. Division Of Cancer Treatment / Unknown Photographer
Doctor Viewing Mammogram
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (photographer)
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Mammography
National Cancer Institute / Unknown Photographer
Mammography Patient
National Cancer Institute / Bill Branson (Photographer)
Top Four Mammogram Myths
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Nurse examines mammogram image of patient during exam.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Nipple Aspirator Warning 350x663
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Screening for Cancer
TheVisualMD
Polanda
M Salhab et al/Wikimedia
Screening for Cancer, cancer screening
TheVisualMD
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Screening for Cancer
TheVisualMD
Mammogram
U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Liliana Moreno
Genetic Testing
Chances of Developing Breast Cancer by Age 70
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Chances of Developing Breast Cancer by Age 70
Specific inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Genetic testing is available for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Most breast and ovarian cancer is not caused by inherited mutations, so genetic testing will not help most women with a family health history of breast and ovarian cancer. Genetic testing will not identify the cause for some hereditary breast and ovarian cancers, because the genes affected in these cancers are not yet known.
Genetic counseling before genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is important to determine whether you and your family are likely enough to have a mutation that it is worth getting tested. Usually, genetic testing is recommended if you have:
A strong family health history of breast and ovarian cancer
A moderate family health history of breast and ovarian cancer and are of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European ancestry
A personal history of breast cancer and meet certain criteria (related to age of diagnosis, type of cancer, presence of certain other cancers or cancer in both breasts, ancestry, and family health history)
A personal history of ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer
A known BRCA1, BRCA2, or other inherited mutation in your family
Genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer looks for mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Your doctor might suggest testing using a multigene panel, which looks for mutations in several genes at the same time, including BRCA1 and BRCA2. If you are of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European ancestry, your doctor might suggest testing for three specific BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, called founder mutations. These are the most common mutations in people of Ashkenazi Jewish or Eastern European ancestry.
The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes
The breast cancer 1(BRCA1) and breast cancer 2(BRCA2) genes are the genes most commonly affected in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Normally, the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes protect you from getting certain cancers. But certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes prevent them from working properly, so that if you inherit one of these mutations, you are more likely to get breast, ovarian, and other cancers. You and your family members are more likely to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation if your family has a strong history of breast or ovarian cancer. Because BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are inherited, family members with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations usually share the same mutation.
The genetic counselor can help you determine the best testing strategy for you and your family. Whenever possible, the first person tested in your family should be someone who has had breast, ovarian, or another BRCA-related cancer. If none of your family members who have had one of these cancers are available for genetic testing, then genetic testing can start with an unaffected person. However, the test results might not be as helpful.
Genetic counseling after genetic testing is important to help you understand your test results and decide the next steps for you and your family:
If you have a positive test result, the test showed that you have a mutation known to cause hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.
What it means for you:
You can take steps to make it less likely that you will get cancer or to find cancer early if you do get it.
If you have already had breast or ovarian cancer, a positive test result can help guide your treatment decisions.
What it means for your family:
If other family members decide to get genetic testing, their test should check for the same mutation you have.
Your parents, children, sisters, and brothers each have a 1 in 2 (50%) chance of having the same mutation.
If you have a negative test result, the test didn’t find a mutation. However, what this means for you depends on whether you have already had breast or ovarian cancer and whether another relative is known to have a mutation.
If you have already had breast or ovarian cancer:
What it means for you:
A negative result means that the test did not find a mutation that caused your cancer.
Further testing might be available.
What it means for your family:
The breast and ovarian cancer in your family is less likely to be due to an inherited mutation, unless another relative is known to have a mutation.
Genetic testing in your family members who have not had breast or ovarian cancer is unlikely to be helpful, unless another relative is known to have a mutation.
In some cases testing might still be helpful for another family member who has had breast or ovarian cancer. This is because it is still possible that there is an inherited mutation in your family, but you did not inherit it.
If you have not had breast or ovarian cancer:
What it means for you:
If a mutation has not already been found in another family member:
A negative test result is considered uninformative because the result could mean that:
The breast and ovarian cancers in your family are caused by one of the mutations included in the genetic test but you did not inherit the mutation. OR
The breast and ovarian cancers in your family were not caused by a mutation that was included in the genetic test.
You are still considered at increased risk for the cancers that run in your family. The level of risk, appropriate screening and prevention options, and need for additional genetic testing will vary for each person and each family.
If a mutation has already been found in another family member and the test showed you do not have the mutation:
You are not at higher risk than the average person for breast or ovarian cancer. You also cannot pass the mutation on to your children.
If you have a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) result, the test found a mutation in one of the genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, but whether that specific mutation causes cancer is unknown. Some mutations prevent genes from working properly, while others have no effect. It is not always easy to tell whether or not a mutation in a gene has a harmful effect.
What it means for you:
If you have already had breast or ovarian cancer, it is unclear whether the mutation found in the test caused your cancer. Further testing might be available.
Whether or not you have already had breast or ovarian cancer, you are still considered at increased risk for the cancers that run in your family. The level of risk, appropriate screening and prevention options, and need for additional genetic testing will vary for each person and each family.
Having a strong family health history of breast and ovarian cancer does not mean that you definitely have an inherited mutation. In fact, most women identified as being at increased risk for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations based on family health history do not have BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
Using family health history information will not find everyone with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. Not everyone with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation has a strong family health history of breast and ovarian cancer. Some even have no known family health history of breast and ovarian cancer.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Additional Materials (4)
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Cancer
More than 225,000 cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. and 40,000 die from the disease. In recent years, however, great strides have been made in early diagnosis and treatment. Imaging techniques have been refined to spot ever-tinier tumors, biomarkers have been developed to reflect physiological changes produced by cancer, and genetic tests such as those for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been devised to identify increased familial risk of breast cancer. The majority of breast cancers start in the mammary ducts; most of the remainder arise in the lobules. Breast cancers are divided into in situ and invasive cancers. In situ cancers remain confined to the duct or gland where they began. Invasive cancers break through the walls of the duct or gland and penetrate into the surrounding tissue.
Image by TheVisualMD
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA.
The breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 normally help prevent cancer by repairing damaged DNA. Certain inherited mutations in these genes, however, can impair this function and result in a greatly increased risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer (there are hundreds of different BRCA mutations, but are very rare or not linked with an increased risk of cancer). Of 200,000 women diagnosed each year with breast cancer and 20,000 diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 5-10% are due to BRCA mutations.
Image by TheVisualMD
This browser does not support the video element.
Breast Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the U.S., with about 1 in 8 women developing the disease within her lifetime. Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth of breast cells that has the potential to spread into the breast and possibly to other parts of the body. Early detection through screening saves the lives of thousands of women every year. If there is a history of breast cancer in the family, women should consider the BReast CAncer susceptibility test (or BRCA) to identify a gene that may indicate an increased risk of developing the disease. Women forty and over should be screened for abnormalities yearly to detect and evaluate changes in breast tissue. If an abnormality is found, a biopsy and pathological exam are necessary for a definitive diagnosis and prognosis. After diagnosis, your doctor may want to learn more about your specific cancer through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and HER2 protein tests. IHC testing can help determine if a specific abnormality is present in the cancer cells. HER2 tests can tell your physician if the breast cancer is turned on by the HER2 gene, and can help determine the best course of treatment. Knowing what type of breast cancer is involved, what stage the cancer is, and the characteristics of that specific cancer, allows a woman's physician to determine best possible therapy for her individual case.
Video by TheVisualMD
BRCA Genes and Breast Cancer
Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Cancer
TheVisualMD
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA.
TheVisualMD
4:57
Breast Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
TheVisualMD
3:12
BRCA Genes and Breast Cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
BRCA Genetic Test
BRCA Genetic Test
Also called: BRCA Gene Mutation Analysis, BRCA1/2 Testing, BRCA Mutation Testing, BRCA Test, Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes 1 and 2, Germline BRCA Testing
A BRCA gene test checks for certain changes (mutations) in your BRCA genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are called tumor suppressor genes. Certain BRCA mutations may put you at higher risk for getting breast, ovarian, prostate, and other cancers. Not everyone who has a harmful BRCA mutation will get cancer.
BRCA Genetic Test
Also called: BRCA Gene Mutation Analysis, BRCA1/2 Testing, BRCA Mutation Testing, BRCA Test, Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes 1 and 2, Germline BRCA Testing
A BRCA gene test checks for certain changes (mutations) in your BRCA genes. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are called tumor suppressor genes. Certain BRCA mutations may put you at higher risk for getting breast, ovarian, prostate, and other cancers. Not everyone who has a harmful BRCA mutation will get cancer.
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Use the slider below to see how your results affect your
health.
Your result is Negative.
A negative (normal) result means that the test didn't find any harmful changes in your BRCA genes. How this affects your cancer risk depends on whether you've already had cancer and whether a member of your family has a harmful BRCA variant.
Related conditions
A BRCA gene test uses a sample of your blood, saliva (spit), or cells from inside of your cheek to look for changes in your BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes that may increase your risk of cancer. Changes in your genes are called gene variants or mutations. Not all gene variants are harmful.
Genes are parts of DNA that you inherit from your parents. They carry information that controls what you look like and how your body works. BRCA genes repair damaged DNA in your cells and protect you from getting certain types of cancer. If you have a harmful variant in your BRCA genes, they may not work properly. This increases your risk of getting cancer.
The most common cancers linked to harmful BRCA variants are:
Breast cancer. BRCA is short for breast cancer gene. The increased risk for breast cancer mostly affects females. But the breast cancer risk for males who have a harmful BRCA variant is higher than for other males.
Ovarian cancer. This is cancer of the female reproductive glands where eggs form.
Prostate cancer. This is cancer of the male reproductive gland that makes fluid for semen.
Pancreatic cancer. This is cancer of the pancreas, an organ that helps you digest food and makes important hormones.
Not everyone who has a harmful variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 will get cancer. And if you find out you have a harmful variant, you may be able to take steps to lower your risk and protect your health.
This test is used to find out if you have harmful changes in your BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes that increase your risk of getting certain cancers, especially breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.
Harmful BRCA gene variants are rare. They affect only about 0.2 percent of the U.S. population. So, BRCA testing is not recommended for most people.
You and your family members are more likely to have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 variant if either side of your family has a strong history of breast or ovarian cancer. If you're concerned that you may have a harmful variant in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, your health care provider or a genetic counselor can review your personal and family health history to see if you need this test.
In general, it's important to talk with a provider about BRCA testing if your personal or family health history includes:
Breast cancer, especially:
Before age 50
In both breasts
In a male
Triple negative breast cancer which has limited treatment options, including chemotherapy and/or surgery
Cancer of the ovaries, fallopian tubes (tubes connecting the ovaries to the uterus), or peritoneum (tissue that covers your belly organs).
Prostate cancer that spreads to other parts of the body (metastatic cancer).
Pancreatic cancer.
Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish ancestry. BRCA variants are much more common in this group compared with the general population. They are also more common in people from other parts of Europe, including Iceland, Norway, and Denmark.
A relative already diagnosed with a harmful gene variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2.
When you think about your family health history, consider all breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancers on both sides of your family. And consider the health of your grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, half-siblings, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren.
A BRCA test can use either a sample of your blood, saliva, or a cheek swab.
For a blood test: A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.
For a saliva test: You'll spit into a container or use a cotton pad to soak up some saliva.
For a cheek swab: A health care professional will wipe the inside of your cheek with a small tool to remove some cells. You may have the option of doing it yourself.
An at-home test kit is available to buy without a prescription. It allows you to collect a saliva sample to send to a lab for testing. The test checks for the three most common harmful variants in BRCA genes. But there are more than 1000 known variants. So, a home test can't rule out the possibility that you have a variant. Ask your provider whether an at-home test is right for you.
For a blood test: You don't need any special preparations.
For a saliva test: A half hour before the test, you may need to stop eating, drinking, or smoking. Follow all the instructions your provider gives you or the instructions in an at-home kit.
For a cheek swab: You may be asked to rinse your mouth before the test.
With any type of genetic test, you may want to meet with a genetic counselor first to see if testing is right for you. Your counselor can explain the pros and cons of learning more about your cancer risk. After your test, a counselor can help with the medical and emotional impact that your results may have on you and your family.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
There are no risks linked to providing a saliva sample or having a cheek swab.
Your provider or genetic counselor will need to explain how your results affect your risk for certain cancers. That's because the meaning of your test results depends on the exact type of variant you have and your personal and family health history.
In general, your results may be reported using these terms:
A negative (normal) result means that the test didn't find any harmful changes in your BRCA genes. How this affects your cancer risk depends on whether you've already had cancer and whether a member of your family has a harmful BRCA variant.
An uncertain result may also be called a "variant of uncertain significance (VUS)". It means that a variant in your BRCA genes was found, but researchers don't know whether that variant causes cancer.
A positive result may also be called a "likely pathogenic variant." It means that you have a harmful gene variant that is known to increase the risk of certain cancers. But the test cannot tell whether you will develop cancer.
If your results show that you have a harmful variant in your BRCA genes, talk with your provider about ways to lower your cancer risk. You may discuss:
Your schedule for cancer screening tests. Should you get tested for cancer sooner and more often than usual? These are important questions for all adults who have a harmful BRCA variant.
Taking certain medicines and/or having surgery to reduce the risk of cancer. Surgery may include removing both breasts and/or the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
BRCA Genetic Test: MedlinePlus Medical Test [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing Fact Sheet - National Cancer Institute [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
BRCAssure BRCA1 and 2 Analysis [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
BRCA Gene Mutation Testing - Testing.com. Nov 9, 2021 [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene testing: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [accessed on Dec 26, 2023]
Additional Materials (13)
Chances of Developing Breast Cancer by Age 70
Specific inherited mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
Image by National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Examination
Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast on film. Screening mammograms typically image the breast from above and from an angled side view. Yearly mammograms are recommended for women 40 and over. Women at high risk should have an MRI scan and a mammogram every year, beginning at age 30. Mammograms can also be used for diagnosis of cancer and to guide biopsy of suspicious lesions. The National Cancer Institute estimates that women with certain mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a 60% lifetime risk of breast cancer, which is five times higher than the general population. Only 0.2% of women have these specific mutations. Women who test negative for high-risk mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes still have a 12% lifetime risk of breast cancer and a 1.4% lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, which means the most of these cancers are caused by factors other than BRCA genes.
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Breast Self-Exam (BSE)
When done correctly and regularly, breast self-exam (BSE) can help save lives. Women who perform BSE are more likely to be diagnosed with smaller tumors, and cancer is less likely to have spread to their underarm lymph nodes. An important part of BSE is self-awareness. Women should be aware of what their breasts normally feel and look like so that they notice any change, and they should bring that change to the attention of their doctor immediately.
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BRCA: Breasts
In the 1990s, researchers discovered that certain inherited mutations of the genes increased a woman's risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. But genes are not destiny; early detection, preventive surgery and drug therapies can also play roles.
Image by TheVisualMD
What is a BRCA Gene Mutation?
Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Testing in Young Women With Breast Cancer
Video by JAMA Network/YouTube
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Testing in Young Women With Breast Cancer
Video by TheJAMAReport/YouTube
BRCA Genes and Breast Cancer
Video by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
Understanding BRCA Mutations and Risk
Video by Dr. Susan Love Foundation/YouTube
BRCA Genes
The BRCA genes are tumor suppressor genes pictured here on their respective chromosomes. BRCA 1 has the cytogenetic location 17q21 or the q arm of Chromosome 17 at position 21. BRCA 2 has the cytogenetic location 13q12.3 or the q arm of Chromosome 13 at position 12.3. Both genes produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA, keeping the genetic material of the cell stable. A damaged BRCA gene in either location can lead to increased risk of cancer, particularly breast or ovarian in women.
Image by Tessssa13/Wikimedia
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Cancer
More than 225,000 cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. and 40,000 die from the disease. In recent years, however, great strides have been made in early diagnosis and treatment. Imaging techniques have been refined to spot ever-tinier tumors, biomarkers have been developed to reflect physiological changes produced by cancer, and genetic tests such as those for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have been devised to identify increased familial risk of breast cancer. The majority of breast cancers start in the mammary ducts; most of the remainder arise in the lobules. Breast cancers are divided into in situ and invasive cancers. In situ cancers remain confined to the duct or gland where they began. Invasive cancers break through the walls of the duct or gland and penetrate into the surrounding tissue.
Image by TheVisualMD
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations: autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance pattern
In hereditary breast cancer, the way that cancer risk is inherited depends on the gene involved. For example, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to increase a person's chance of developing cancer. Although breast cancer is more common in women than in men, the mutated gene can be inherited from either the mother or the father.
Image by YassineMrabet / NIH
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA.
The breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 normally help prevent cancer by repairing damaged DNA. Certain inherited mutations in these genes, however, can impair this function and result in a greatly increased risk of breast cancer or ovarian cancer (there are hundreds of different BRCA mutations, but are very rare or not linked with an increased risk of cancer). Of 200,000 women diagnosed each year with breast cancer and 20,000 diagnosed with ovarian cancer, 5-10% are due to BRCA mutations.
Image by TheVisualMD
Chances of Developing Breast Cancer by Age 70
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
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BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Examination
TheVisualMD
Sensitive content
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Breast Self-Exam (BSE)
TheVisualMD
Sensitive content
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BRCA: Breasts
TheVisualMD
1:28
What is a BRCA Gene Mutation?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
4:39
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Testing in Young Women With Breast Cancer
JAMA Network/YouTube
2:20
BRCA1 and BRCA2 Mutation Testing in Young Women With Breast Cancer
TheJAMAReport/YouTube
3:12
BRCA Genes and Breast Cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/YouTube
3:52
Understanding BRCA Mutations and Risk
Dr. Susan Love Foundation/YouTube
BRCA Genes
Tessssa13/Wikimedia
BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 Genes, Breast Cancer
TheVisualMD
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations: autosomal dominant (AD) inheritance pattern
YassineMrabet / NIH
BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes that produce proteins that help repair damaged DNA.
TheVisualMD
Self-Testing
23andMe DNA test
Image by Veverve
23andMe DNA test
23andMe DNA test - 31 January 2021 - complete kit. It is a standard (i.e. "Ancestry + Traits ") international kit.
Image by Veverve
Taking a Genetic Test on Your Own: What You Need to Know
Have you heard about people taking a genetic test on their own and learning about genetic mutations that may raise their risk for breast cancer? This type of test, called a direct-to-consumer genetic test, can be taken at home. It can tell you about your ancestry and genetic traits, including limited information about your risk for diseases like breast cancer.
It’s important to know that this type of test may not give you a full understanding of your breast cancer risk, especially if breast cancer runs in your family.
What You Need To Know
For most women, a direct-to-consumer genetic test may not find if you have a higher risk for breast cancer.
The direct-to-consumer genetic test approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) looks for 3—out of more than 1,000—BRCA gene mutations that can increase your risk for breast cancer.
Direct-to-consumer genetic tests do not take into account non-BRCA gene mutations or non-genetic factors that can increase breast cancer risk.
What To Do
If You Are Considering Taking a Test
A direct-to-consumer genetic test may not give you a complete understanding of your breast cancer risk, especially if breast cancer runs in your family. If you think you may be at higher risk for breast cancer, it is best to work with a doctor or genetic counselor who can assess your risk, interpret your results, and build an action plan.
Action Steps to Understand and Manage Your Breast Cancer Risk
Find out if any close relatives on either your mother’s or father’s side have had breast cancer, especially before age 45, or ovarian cancer at any age.
Tell your doctor about your family history.
Ask your doctor if you are at high risk because of your family history.
Ask your doctor about working with a genetic counselor to assess your genetic risk and build an action plan.
Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.
If You Tested Negative for a BRCA Mutation
A negative result on a direct-to-consumer genetic test does not rule out the possibility that you carry other genetic mutations that increase your risk, including other BRCA genetic mutations not found by the test you took. If you have a family history of breast cancer, do not rely on a direct-to-consumer genetic test to assess your risk. Talk to your doctor about your results and what to do next.
Action Steps to Understand and Manage Your Breast Cancer Risk
Find out if any close relatives on either your mother’s or father’s side have had breast cancer, especially before age 45, or ovarian cancer at any age.
Tell your doctor about your family history.
Ask your doctor if you are at high risk because of your family history.
Tell your doctor about your negative test result.
Ask your doctor about working with a genetic counselor to accurately assess your genetic risk and build an action plan.
Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.
If You Tested Positive for a BRCA Mutation
Discuss your test results with your doctor so that he or she can refer you for genetic counseling and you can create an action plan to manage your risk.
Action Steps to Understand and Manage Your Breast Cancer Risk
Find out if any close relatives on either your mother’s or father’s side have had breast cancer, especially before age 45, or ovarian cancer at any age.
Tell your doctor about your family history.
Tell your doctor you tested positive for a BRCA mutation.
Ask your doctor what your results mean and to refer you to a genetic counselor to confirm your test results and build an action plan.
Ask your doctor about working with a genetic counselor to assess your genetic risk and build an action plan.
If You’ve Taken a Test, but Haven’t Looked at the Results
If you are scared or worried, take your test results to your doctor, who is better able to assess your breast cancer risk. Remember that a direct-to-consumer genetic test may not give you a complete understanding of your breast cancer risk, especially if it runs in your family.
Action Steps
Find out if any close relatives on either your mother’s or father’s side have had breast cancer, especially before age 45, or ovarian cancer at any age.
Tell your doctor about your family history.
Take your results to your doctor, who can help you read them and understand what they mean.
Ask your doctor if you need to work with a genetic counselor to accurately assess your genetic risk and build an action plan.
Practice healthy behaviors to lower your risk, like keeping a healthy weight and being physically active.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Additional Materials (3)
BRCA PARP twohit
two hit model
Image by Hassan142/Wikimedia
Assessing Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
Video by Mayo Clinic Laboratories/YouTube
Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing and Genetic Counselling
Video by WCSethics/YouTube
BRCA PARP twohit
Hassan142/Wikimedia
7:14
Assessing Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing
Mayo Clinic Laboratories/YouTube
2:31
Direct to Consumer Genetic Testing and Genetic Counselling
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Breast Cancer Screening
Breast cancer screening means checking a woman’s breasts for cancer before there are signs or symptoms of the disease. Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find breast cancer early, when it is easier to treat. Talk to your doctor about which breast cancer screening tests are right for you, and when you should have them.