Your breast health is important to IMI. Below are actions you should take to maintain your breast health along with the age you should begin and the frequency of each action.
Breast self-examination
By age 20, monthly
Clinical breast examination
Start at age 20, at least every 3 years. After age 40, annually
Mammography screening
Baseline at age 35, annually at age 40
Additional or earlier exams
Women under age 40 who are at an increased risk of breast disease due to family history, genetics and other concerns about breast cancer should talk with their doctors about when to begin mammography screening.
High Risk Assessment
IMI has implemented a new system to alert our radiologists if a woman’s personal and/or family history information suggests that they may benefit from increased breast cancer surveillance or hereditary testing. Using information from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Breast Surgeons and the National Cancer Institute, all women undergoing a mammogram at IMI are evaluated to determine if they are at higher risk for developing breast cancer. If identified as high risk, women have an opportunity to meet with genetic consultants. This allows women to be more proactive so they can consider possible options such as increased surveillance with breast MRI, genetic testing and medical prevention strategies (chemoprevention). IMI is actively assessing other risk models and other ways to provide information for potentially high risk women.