Why Early Detection of Breast Cancer Matters

Breast cancer can be different from one person to another. Some cancers grow slowly, while others are more aggressive. 

When breast cancer is found before it has spread to distant parts of the body, treatment is often more likely to be successful. Finding cancer in its early stages may also mean that less extensive treatment is needed in some cases. 

Doctors use the cancer’s stage to understand how much cancer is present and whether it has spread beyond the breast. They look at factors such as the size of the tumor, whether nearby lymph nodes are involved and whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body. 

Stage is only one part of the picture. Doctors also look closely at the cancer cells to learn more about how the cancer may behave and which treatments may work best. 

Mammography is an important breast cancer screening tool that can detect changes before symptoms develop. Scripps recommends that women at average risk begin mammograms between ages 40 and 45. Your personal risk factors may affect when you should start screening and how often you need it. 

Women with dense breasts or a higher risk of breast cancer may need a more personalized screening plan. 

Learn more about when to get a mammogram and how your breast cancer risk can affect your screening schedule. 

Your family history can offer important clues about your breast cancer risk and whether genetic testing may be helpful. 

“If you have a close relative with ovarian cancer, male breast cancer, or multiple relatives with breast cancer, you could be at increased risk of having an underlying mutation,” says Dr. Ali.  

If testing identifies an inherited mutation, your doctor may recommend a screening plan tailored to your risk. 

Getting called back after a mammogram can be stressful, but an abnormal finding does not necessarily mean cancer. 

Your doctor or radiologist may recommend more imaging to take a closer look. This may include a diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound or in some cases, breast MRI. 

If an area still looks suspicious, your doctor may recommend a biopsy. During a biopsy, a small sample of breast tissue is removed and examined by a pathologist to check for cancer. 

If breast cancer is detected, the biopsy can also provide important information about the cancer and help guide treatment. 

No two breast cancers are exactly alike. After a diagnosis, doctors look at several details about the tumor to better understand the cancer and help guide treatment. 

These may include: 

Cancer type: Shows where the cancer started and other features of the tumor. 

Grade: Describes how different the cancer cells look from normal cells and can offer clues about how quickly the cancer may grow. 

Stage: Shows how much cancer is present and whether it has spread. 

Hormone receptor status: Shows whether hormones such as estrogen or progesterone may be helping the cancer grow. 

HER2 status: Shows whether the cancer cells have higher-than-normal levels of the HER2, a protein that can help cancer grow. 

In some cases, doctors may also recommend tests that look at the activity of certain genes in the tumor. 

Together, this information helps your care team understand your cancer and determine which treatment options may work best for you. 

Breast cancer treatment is tailored to each person. Your treatment plan depends on the type and stage of cancer, the tumor's characteristics, your overall health and your preferences. 

Treatment may include: 

• Surgery 
• Radiation therapy 
• Chemotherapy 
• Hormone therapy 
• Targeted therapy 
• Immunotherapy 

Some people may need only one or two types of treatment, while others may need a combination. 

Treatment experiences can vary too. Even people who receive the same medications may respond differently. 

“A lot of women will say something like: ‘Dad had cancer. I know what chemotherapy is like,’” says Dr. Ali. “But there are many different types of chemotherapy regimens, and even people who get the same drugs often don’t have the same reactions. Don’t take someone else’s experience and assume it will be your own.” 

Because every breast cancer is different, doctors consider the specific characteristics of the cancer when deciding which treatments are most likely to help. 

Breast cancer screening is important, but some breast cancers are found after a person notices a new or unusual change.  

Being familiar with how your breasts normally look and feel can help you recognize when something is different. Contact your doctor if you notice a new lump, nipple or skin change, persistent pain or any other change that is unusual for you. 

Early detection can save lives by improving the chances that breast cancer can be found and treated before it spreads. 

Regular breast cancer screening, knowing your risk factors and paying attention to breast changes can all help detect cancer sooner. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk, when and how often you should be screened and any breast changes or concerns you notice.