Should women under 35 have a mammogram to screen for breast cancer?

I am 32 years old, went to the doctor and found a tumor in my breast, ultrasound result BIRADS 2, benign. Should I have a mammogram to screen for breast cancer? (Ngoc Duyen, Dak Lak)

Reply:

Mammography is a technique that uses X-rays to examine the breast to screen or diagnose breast cancer, and is valuable for screening asymptomatic breast cancer. This method helps detect signs that ultrasound cannot detect, such as microcalcifications (very small calcifications that disrupt tissue structure) that are common in patients with early-stage breast cancer.

In some cases of dense breast tissue, small lesions less than 1 cm, not visible on mammogram, doctors often recommend breast cancer screening mammogram combined with diagnostic ultrasound to avoid missing cancer.

Mammography is usually prescribed for women aged 40 and over. Women under 40 who have relatives with breast cancer, or who have unusual signs in their breasts that are suspicious of malignancy such as bloody discharge, thickened breast skin, etc., are also considered for mammography for screening and diagnosis. When taking a mammogram, the technician often compresses the breast to obtain sharp images and reduce X-ray absorption.

3D mammography for breast cancer screening at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Provided by the hospital — 3D mammography for breast cancer screening at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: *Provided by the hospital*

This method is not indicated for women under 35 years old. Young women with dense breast tissue, mammography can absorb a lot of X-rays, high risk of causing mutations leading to breast cancer. If women under 35 years old, do not have high risk factors for breast cancer, doctors do not prescribe mammography to avoid harmful effects on health.

Ultrasound is the preferred screening test for women under 35 years of age. At this age, mammography is only performed after a positive diagnosis of cancer has been made and is only performed on the breast with a malignant mass to assess the extent of spread.

In your case, the ultrasound results are BIRADS 2, benign, no need for mammography.

Using appropriate X-rays for the right person, age, dose, and technique ensures both screening and safety. Women should choose hospitals with modern mammography machines that adjust the amount of X-rays emitted to a low level to limit the risk of X-ray absorption compared to previous generation machines.

Master, Doctor Huynh Ba Tan
Department of Breast Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

Readers ask questions about cancer here for doctors to answer

Source link