If you feel a breast lump which is new or which concerns you, you should visit your GP or family doctor first for an initial assessment. If deemed necessary, a mammogram can be done to investigate this lump further. On the basis of this, further tests such as an ultrsound scan or needle biopsy may be required.
In the United Kingdom, women aged 50 years and over are invited every 3 years for a mammogram as part of the National Breast Screening Programme. Other countries have similar arrangements.
An X-ray flim is taken separately of each breast and assessed by a radiologist for signs of breast cancer. But in younger women, breast tissue is naturally more dense than in older women and therefore, mammograms can be difficult to assess in women under 50 years.
Self examination should be carried out by all women every month. This takes only a few minutes and can lead to the detection of abnormalities such as lumps at an earlier stage. See your Practice Nurse for guidance on breast self-examination.
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