BDMS Breast cancer screening package

It is recommended to have a breast exam before starting hormone therapy, as many hormone treatments are contraindicated for individuals with breast cancer or those at risk. These medications can potentially cause cancer cells to spread and grow.

If a breast lump is diagnosed as benign or a cyst, hormone therapy may be an option. However, regular check-ups with a specialist are recommended to monitor the lump and receive appropriate guidance.

Before breast augmentation, a breast examination by a specialist is recommended. This is because individuals diagnosed with or at risk of breast cancer should complete their treatment before surgery.

Individuals who have undergone breast augmentation with silicone or saline implants are advised to undergo regular breast examinations by a specialist. Both mammography and ultrasound can be safely performed on patients with implants. Mammograms for these individuals typically include an additional view showing the breast with the implant to assess the integrity of the implant, such as any leakage or fluid accumulation. An additional view, compressing only the breast tissue while displacing the implant, is also taken to evaluate the breast tissue for any lumps or calcifications.

BNH Hospital recommends that women aged 40 and over have an annual breast exam.

You can visit the Women’s Health Center on the 4th floor of BNH Hospital.

If you have no previous records at BNH, please register as a new patient at the Medical Records Department on the 1st floor.

To ensure a smooth service experience, it is advisable to make a reservation at least 3 days prior to your desired appointment time via Line.

This package reserves the right for participating doctors only.

This service/package is transferable to another person.

The specific terms and conditions of your insurance policy will determine the procedures for obtaining a receipt. Please contact your insurer or agent for assistance.

A medical certificate confirming the visit can be requested.

Walk-ins are welcome based on availability, however, we strongly recommend making a prior appointment for a more seamless experience.

Even if you have no risk factors and no symptoms, you can still get screened.

• For women aged 35-40, an ultrasound is recommended.
• For women aged 40 and over, a mammogram is recommended every year until around age 70. If no abnormalities are found after age 70, screening can be done every other year.
• Women with a family history of breast cancer should start screening at age 35 or 10 years before the age at which their closest relative was diagnosed, whichever comes first. Close relatives include mothers, sisters, daughters.

Initially, we recommend a breast ultrasound. Mammography is most effective in detecting small breast cancers in women over 40 due to less dense breast tissue compared to younger women. Therefore, mammograms may be harder to interpret in younger women. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer, annual screenings should begin at age 35 or 10 years before the age at which your closest relative was diagnosed, whichever is earlier.

It is recommended to undergo an ultrasound examination.

While mammograms provide detailed images, they cannot definitively distinguish between solid masses and fluid-filled cysts. Therefore, it’s essential to complement mammograms with ultrasound examinations. Mammography is highly effective in detecting calcifications and masses, while ultrasound helps differentiate between cysts and solid or malignant tumors. Additionally, ultrasound is crucial for confirming the absence of masses in women with dense breast tissue, often due to hormone replacement therapy or younger age.

• The ideal time for a mammogram is 7-14 days after the end of your menstrual period.
• Avoid applying lotion, powder, deodorant, or any other topical products to the breast and underarm areas. These substances can mimic the appearance of calcium deposits often found in breast cancer on a mammogram, leading to misdiagnosis.
• Pregnant or potentially pregnant patients should inform the staff before the procedure. Mammograms are generally avoided during pregnancy, and an ultrasound will be performed instead.

• During a mammogram, you will need to stand still while the machine compresses your breast and takes an image of each breast. This process takes about 5 seconds per breast. You may experience slight discomfort, which is necessary to obtain clear images and detailed views of your breast tissue. Typically, two standard views are taken of each breast. After the mammogram, you will undergo a breast ultrasound performed by a radiologist, which takes approximately 20 minutes.
• Individuals who have undergone breast augmentation with silicone or saline implants can safely undergo mammograms without any harm to the implants. During the imaging process, an additional view is taken compared to a standard mammogram. This extra view captures the breast with the implant and a separate view of the breast tissue alone by pulling the implant backward.
• The amount of radiation exposure from a mammogram is very low and only affects the body during the brief exposure to X-rays. It does not accumulate in the body and cannot be transmitted to others.
• Feeling relaxed and avoiding tension can make the examination easier and reduce discomfort from breast compression. Many patients are concerned about the discomfort associated with mammograms, but the benefits far outweigh the potential discomfort.

• Patients who are pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant should inform our staff beforehand. Mammograms are not recommended for pregnant women, and only ultrasounds will be performed.