Why is Screening Necessary?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. One in every 8 to 10 women will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime. The prevalence of breast cancer can make women feel uneasy about it, but when diagnosed early, it's actually not a scary disease at all.

Because I've been able to diagnose patients who come for regular mammograms and ultrasounds so early, I can sometimes explain my diagnosis to them as follows:

"Yes, the cancer diagnosis is pathologically confirmed, but it's caught so early that we can completely remove it with a minor operation, without any significant changes to your life. Furthermore, you won't have to undergo toxic therapies like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Regular mammograms and ultrasounds are crucial for this reason."

Palpation is not sufficiently sensitive for early diagnosis. A lump can be detected by mammography up to two years before it reaches palpable size. This period can be even longer for some cancers. Therefore, palpation, whether performed by a doctor or by self-examination, is not an adequate method for early diagnosis. The only method proven to be effective in breast cancer screening is radiological breast imaging.