Ask The Doctor: The Latest On Mammograms, Breast Cancer

While Breast Cancer Awareness Month may have passed, doctors urge women to make breast health a priority all year long. Since early detection is key in fighting breast cancer, experts say it is important for women to keep up to date on self-breast examinations and understand the latest mammogram guidelines.

In the second installment of Patch's "Ask The Doctor" series, Dr. Deb Krahl, an OB-GYN at Clinic Sofia, weighs in on women's most common questions when it comes to breast cancer:

"What is the latest with mammograms? Do I really need to do this every
year?"

Dr. Krahl:

There has been a lot of press about mammogram guidelines in the past year with some organizations suggesting women can wait until age 50 before getting annual mammograms. At Clinic Sofia, we strongly recommend women get annual mammograms starting at age 40 since they are truly the best tool for early detection and are critical to reducing breast cancer-related death.

"What if I have dense breasts?"

Dr. Krahl:

Many women have dense breasts, particularly from ages 40-49, as breast tissue becomes more fatty as we age. If you have dense breasts, which would be identified during a mammogram, it does not mean you are at higher risk for cancer, but it may require further testing to better determine your risk.

"What additional testing is available?"

Dr. Krahl:

If you have dense breast tissue, your doctor may recommend
additional testing such as a 3D mammogram, also known as a mammogram with
tomosynthesis, where additional pictures are taken of the breast with 3D imaging.

The 3D imaging is able to see through the dense breast tissue better than regular
mammograms, thereby increasing the accuracy of the test.

Many states now require doctors to tell patients with dense breast tissue about
the new technology and additional screening available to them. Although these
additional screenings are not always covered by insurance, it is important for
women to know all their options so they can make informed decisions about their
healthcare.

"What other testing is available beyond mammograms?"

Dr. Krahl:

Sometimes we recommend a breast MRI or genetic testing for the BRCA gene—particularly if there is a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or if other family members have tested positive for the BRCA gene. If someone is positive for this gene mutation, they are at a much higher lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer.

Therefore, genetic testing can be helpful for making medical decisions to improve their quality of life as well as the lives of other family members if they also decide to get tested. This BRCA gene testing is something we offer at Clinic Sofia.

"What about self breast checks?"

Dr. Krahl:

While there have been reports that self exams may not be necessary, Clinic Sofia recommends that women conduct a monthly self check to check for any changes in their breast or lumps. The best time to do this is right after your period or, if you are no longer menstruating, aim to do this at beginning of each month.

The important thing is to do the self checks and do them regularly—in addition to annual physical exams at the doctor’s office.

"What if I have implants?"

Dr. Krahl:

Women with implants can still get breast cancer in the tissue around the implants and, therefore, the same rules apply.

They need to do monthly self breast exams and get annual mammograms starting at age 40. Anyone with implants should be sure to alert the mammogram technician in advance so they can conduct the procedure accordingly.

They may need to adjust your breast to get an accurate view of the tissue; however, you don’t need to worry about any damage to your implants.

If you have further questions, you can contact Clinic Sofia at (952) 922-7600.

About Dr. Deb Krahl

Dr. Krahl has been an OB-GYN for the past 20 years. She sees patients at Clinic Sofia, which has offices in Edina and Maple Grove. Founded in 2004, Clinic Sofia serves thousands of women across the metro.

Previous article in this series: Ask The Doctor: Vaccinations During Pregnancy

Photo via Clinic Sofia, used with permission