Women at average risk should start annual screening mammograms at age 40. Women with a higher risk due to family history or other factors may need to start earlier and/or get screened more often. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk. Anyone who is experiencing signs or symptoms of breast cancer – including men.

Early detection of breast cancer can lead to more successful treatment options and improve chances of survival. Screenings can also provide peace of mind.

A screening mammogram is an x-ray of the breast. Mammograms are the most effective screening tool for women who have no other risk factors for breast cancer. Digital tomosynthesis, also known as 3-D mammography, uses x-rays to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast. Diagnostic mammograms are used as a screening tool for women with signs or symptoms of breast cancer. Diagnostic mammograms differ from screening mammograms in that diagnostic mammograms produce more images of the breast. Otherwise, they are functionally and procedurally the same. Ultrasound can detect small, potentially curable cancers that cannot be found on a screening mammogram. Breast cancer detection in women with dense breasts improves by over 55 percent when mammography and ultrasound are used together. This is especially important for women with dense breasts.

Uninsured women ages 40 and older can get free screenings through Panhandle Breast Health. Screenings for men and younger women require a physician’s referral. Applicants must live in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle and have a household income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. PBH covers Screening and Diagnostic Mammograms, Ultrasounds and Biopsies. This includes 3-D mammography. Medicaid, Medicare, and nearly all insurance companies cover the entire cost of almost all screening mammograms for women ages 40 and over.  Texas state law requires health insurance plans and Medicaid to pay for a diagnostic mammogram. House Bill 170 amends the Insurance Code to require a health benefit plan that provides coverage for a screening mammogram to provide coverage for a diagnostic mammogram that is no less favorable than the coverage for a screening mammogram, according to the bill analyses of the legislation.

New lump or mass: This is the most common symptom, but not all lumps are cancerous. It's important to get any new lump checked by a doctor. Changes in breast size or shape: One breast becoming larger or more rounded than the other can be a sign. Nipple changes: This includes inversion (nipple turning inward), discharge (other than breast milk), or redness/flaking of the nipple or breast skin. Dimpling of breast skin: The skin may look pitted or like an orange peel. Swelling in the armpit or near the collarbone: Enlarged lymph nodes in these areas can be a sign cancer has spread. Pain in the breast (although less common) Thickening or swelling of part of the breast

Don't panic! Most lumps are not cancerous. Schedule an appointment with your doctor to get a check-up. Early detection is key for successful treatment.

Familiarizing yourself with your breasts can help you notice any changes. While not a replacement for mammograms, breast self-exams can be a helpful tool for awareness. Talk to your doctor about the proper technique for performing a breast self-exam.

Age: Risk increases as you get older, with most cases diagnosed after 50. Family History: Having close relatives (mother, sister, daughter) with breast cancer increases your risk, especially if diagnosed young or with multiple family members affected. Genetics: Specific gene mutations, like BRCA1 and BRCA2, significantly elevate breast cancer risk. Talk to your doctor about genetic testing if you have a strong family history. Menstrual History: Starting your period before age 12 or going through menopause after 55 exposes you to hormones for a longer duration, increasing risk. Dense Breasts: Breasts with more connective tissue and less fatty tissue can make it harder to detect tumors on mammograms and might be a risk factor.

Weight: Being overweight or obese, particularly after menopause, increases breast cancer risk. Maintaining a healthy weight can help. Diet: A diet high in saturated fat and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may be linked to increased risk. Aim for a balanced diet. Physical Activity: Regular exercise (moderate or intense for at least 4-7 hours weekly) is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer. Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol intake can increase breast cancer risk. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Certain types of HRT that combine estrogen and progesterone for more than five years might raise breast cancer risk. Discuss options with your doctor. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Having children and breastfeeding can lower your risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts.

Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of control. Breast cancer occurs in one in eight American women, but men can get breast cancer too.