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Breast examinations

Breast cancer is fairly common. One in eight Australian women will develop breast cancer before the age of 85. About 12,000 women and 84 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 in Australia. It is predicted that by 2011, the number of new diagnoses will increase to about 14,800 women and 122 men.

Breast cancer can occur at any age. The average age of women when they are diagnosed with breast cancer is 59 years. However, about a quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50 years.

From time to time, a woman or her doctor may find breast changes, such as:

• A lump or lumpiness.
• Any change in the shape or appearance of the breast such as dimpling or redness.
• An area that feels different to the rest.
• A discharge from the nipple.
• Any change in the shape or appearance of the nipple such as pulling in or scaliness (nipple inversion or retraction).
• Pain.

Many women are concerned that a breast change might be breast cancer. Even though this will not be true in most cases, it is very important that all breast changes are carefully investigated. If it is cancer, finding it early will mean a much better chance of effective treatment.

Australia's peak medical advisory body, the National Health and Medical Research Council, recommends that all women aged 50 to 69 have a mammogram every two years.

Those aged over 70, and between 40 to 49, are also eligible for a free screening mammogram, though the scientific evidence suggests it's less effective in younger age group.

A mammogram involves the breast being compressed between two photographic plates, and a low-dose X-ray being taken of the breast tissue. It isn't particularly comfortable ("designed by a man!" is a frequent comment), though it isn't painful. It can be done in a specialised mobile unit, a breast clinic or a radiologist's rooms. Ultrasound examination is sometimes done to give additional information, but on its own it's not a better screening test than a mammogram.

Because all our Doctors at Healthy Women Medical Centre have a special interest in Female Health they not only understand the sensitivity of this but can also easily assess any concerns that you may have from an initial examination in the privacy of our clinic.

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