Patient Awareness

Early Detection

Early detection is part of the way to defeat and cure breast cancer. Cancer can be curable especially if detected and treated early!

The WHO says "Between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths could be prevented by modifying or avoiding key risk factors and implementing existing evidence-based prevention strategies.1

There are many forms of examination which help to detect breast cancer early. The easiest is self-examination, which can be done by anyone at home without any help.

Medical examinations through healthcare professionals include:

  • Tactile examination of the breast by health care professionals
  • Ultrasound examination
  • Mammography
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
  • Biopsy

 

Self-examination

Self-examination is the most important and the easiest tool for detection of breast cancer in the early stages. It is a daily chance for you to detect very early signs or symptoms.

It takes only 1-2 minutes of your time every day and you can do it in bed, under the shower or in front of the mirror. It is so easy and definitely worth your time and effort.

Self-examination can help to identify cancer in an early stage. However, it should not substitute the examination by a health care professional. Also, if you think you have found something during self-examination, try to see a physician as soon as possible to spare yourself possibly unnecessary worries.

Patient Awareness Breast cancer self-examination
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Infographic: Breast cancer self-examination and diagnostics
Infographic: Breast cancer self-examination and diagnostics (@a7880ss-stock.adobe.com)

Benefits and risks of self-examination

Benefits2

  • The disease may be recognized earlier, which increases the chances of cure compared to advanced cancer.
  • If found early, some treatment methods may be available which have less of an impact on the quality of life.
  • Self-examination helps to reduce the number of women who die from breast cancer.

Risks2

  • The self-examination may lead to incorrect results:
    • If a woman mistakenly believes to have found something this may lead to psychological stress and possibly unnecessary, physically stressful interventions.
    • If a woman examines herself and does not feel a tumor, which is there, she might feel safe even though she is actually ill.
  • Some tumors are too small to be found in self-examination.

Please note that the information within this website is not intended for self-diagnosis. It is in no way a substitute for a medical diagnosis and advice.

Text sources:

    [1] WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/cancer#tab=tab_2 09/2021

    [2] Sources:

    Image sources:

    • Key Visual: © Piotr Marcinski - stock.adobe.com