Every October, awareness campaigns in Algeria, as elsewhere, remind women of the importance of breast cancer screening. Many know the principle and still postpone the appointment: they are busy, a little apprehensive, or simply feel well. This article explains in plain terms what screening involves, what it can do and how an examination goes, so that the decision can be taken calmly, with your doctor.
Why screen when you feel well
Screening is meant precisely for women who notice nothing. Its aim is to find a change while it is still small, often before it can be seen or felt. At that stage, further tests are simpler and there are more options for care.
Being screened does not mean expecting bad news. In the great majority of cases the result is reassuring. It is a routine part of looking after your health, in the same way as having your blood pressure checked or a blood test.
The clinical breast examination
During a gynaecology or general practice consultation, the doctor may examine the breasts and armpits by touch. It takes a few minutes. It can pick up a lump, a firmer area or a swollen gland, and it is also a good moment to ask about screening and to mention your medical history.
Knowing your breasts and noticing changes
You do not need to carry out a technical examination, but it helps to know how your breasts usually look and feel, so that you notice when something changes. Breasts change naturally with the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and age; what matters is a change that is new and does not go away. The following signs are worth showing to a doctor without waiting for your next check-up:
- a lump or thickened area in the breast or under the arm
- a change in the shape or size of a breast
- skin that puckers, dimples or looks like orange peel
- a nipple that has turned inwards when it did not before
- discharge from the nipple, especially if it is clear or bloodstained
- redness, crusting or persistent itching of the nipple or the skin around it
Most of these changes turn out to have a harmless explanation. Showing them to a doctor is simply how you find out.
Mammography, and when to talk about it
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breasts and the main screening test. In many programmes it is commonly offered from around 40 to 50, usually every two years. That describes general practice; it is not a rule for any one woman.
When to have a first mammogram, and how often to repeat it, is decided with your doctor according to your personal and family history. A woman whose mother or sister has had breast cancer, for instance, may be offered a different schedule, sometimes starting earlier. That is one more reason to mention your family history at the consultation.
Breast ultrasound is often used alongside it. It involves no radiation and helps to clarify an image, particularly when breast tissue is dense. It does not replace mammography; it complements it when the doctor thinks it useful.
What a mammography appointment is like
The examination usually takes about a quarter of an hour. Each breast is placed between two plates that press it for a few seconds while the images are taken. The pressure can be uncomfortable, is rarely painful, and passes quickly. If your breasts tend to be tender before a period, you can choose a date outside that time.
A few practical points help. On the day, avoid deodorant, talc, cream or perfume on the breasts and armpits, as they can leave marks on the images. Bring any previous mammograms and ultrasound scans with their reports: comparing with earlier images is one of the most useful things the radiologist can do. A two-piece outfit also makes things easier.
If the examination shows something
The radiologist sometimes asks for extra images, an ultrasound or a follow-up check a few months later. This is not a diagnosis. Most often these tests point to something benign, such as a cyst.
If a doubt remains, a small sample may be suggested so that the area can be analysed. The medical team explains each step, and it is entirely normal to ask questions, to bring someone with you and to take the time to understand. Being followed early means keeping control of what comes next.
At Clinique Sakina, the women’s check-up for those 40 and over brings together, in a single morning, a gynaecology consultation, a mammogram and a few blood tests. It can be booked online on a date that suits you.
Remember
This article is general information and does not replace a consultation. To know when to start screening and how often to continue, talk to your doctor.
General information: it does not replace your doctor’s advice.
