Mammography 

A mammogram is a high-resolution x-ray used to identify breast changes that are suggestive of cancer or may be associated with increased risk of developing breast cancer. Mammograms are non-invasive and can be completed in around 20 minutes.    

Ultrasound   

A breast ultrasound will often follow a mammography study. It uses high frequency sound waves to produce an image of the tissues within the breast. The combination of the two examinations gives doctors more information, especially in younger patients. 

Breast MRI  

Breast MRI uses a magnetic field to take a series of images of the breast tissue. It does not use the ionising radiation of X-rays like a mammogram. It will usually involve an injection of a contrast agent into a vein in the arm during the scan to better visualise the breast tissue and/or abnormalities. 

Breast MRI is also used as a surveillance tool to look for recurrent tumours after previous breast cancer treatment, to gauge the body’s response to treatment such as chemotherapy, and prior to surgery to the breast or lymph glands. 

BreastScreen Aotearoa

Women are encouraged to utilise the free services provided by BreastScreen Aotearoa and schedule regular breast screening. Women aged 45-69 are eligible for free mammograms every two years through the service. 

Educate yourself about breast cancer indicators and the factors that might elevate your risk. By understanding these elements, you're equipped to take swift, informed actions towards your well-being.  

Breast cancer signs and symptoms  

In the early stages of breast cancer there may be no symptoms at all. As the cancer grows, symptoms can include:  

• A new lump in the breast, armpit area or around the collarbone.  
• Change in breast size or shape.  
• Changes to the nipple, such as sores or crusting, an ulcer or inverted nipple.  
• Clear or bloody nipple discharge.  
• Changes to the skin including redness, puckering or dimpling (an ‘orange peel’ appearance).  
• Breast tenderness or pain.  

 Risk factors  

A risk factor is something about a person, or what that person is exposed to, that increases their ‘risk’ (in other words, the chance or likelihood) of developing breast cancer in future. It can be genetic or due to a lifestyle factor like alcohol or lack of exercise. Importantly, risk factors don’t tell us everything and the existence of a risk factor, or several risk factors, does not mean a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer.  

Common risk factors include:  

• Age (75% of women with breast cancer are aged 50+)  
• Excessive alcohol consumption  
• Family history/genetics  
• Breast density  
• Metabolic health  
• Smoking  

A mammogram performed through BreastScreen is part of a free service for women who are asymptomatic. That is, they do not have any clinical symptoms such as a lump. It is the best way to identify breast cancers at an early stage, for women who fall into the higher-risk age category. BreastScreen will routinely take four pictures (two views on each side) in total, however this may vary depending on the individual. 

If you have clinical symptoms such as a lump, nipple discharge, changes in breast shape or discolouration, you should visit your GP, regardless of your age. They will then assess you and arrange for diagnostic imaging which can confirm or rule out disease based on your symptoms. For a diagnostic mammogram, a more detailed study is performed and may require that more pictures are taken.

All women should check their breasts regularly between scheduled screenings - although it’s important to remember that self-checking is not a substitute for professional examination. If you notice any changes in your breasts, be sure to see your doctor. 

3-step breast check 

Breast cancer occurs when abnormal or damaged cells grow in an uncontrolled manner and a tumour is formed. Most tumours start in the milk ducts which carry milk to the nipple. It can develop in both men and women, although it is much less common in men. 

Breast cancer is not just one disease, but several. It includes different subtypes and treatments are becoming increasingly personalised for patients. 

Non-invasive breast cancers (carcinoma in situ) are contained within the milk ducts or lobules in the breast and have not grown into the normal breast tissue:  

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) – a non–invasive breast cancer confined to the milk ducts of the breast.  
• Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) – a non-invasive breast cancer that is confined to the lobules or milk producing glands at the end of the milk ducts of the breast.  

Invasive breast cancers are cancers that are growing in the normal breast tissue and have the potential to spread to other sites in the body:  

• Early breast cancer – an invasive breast cancer that is contained in the breast and may or may not have spread to lymph nodes in the breast or armpit.  
• Paget’s disease of the nipple – a rare form of breast cancer that affects the nipple and the area around the nipple (the areola). Commonly associated with invasive cancer elsewhere in the breast.  
• Inflammatory breast cancer – a rare form of invasive breast cancer that affects the lymphatic vessels in the skin of the breast. This type of breast cancer does not present as a lump but rather a redness or rash in appearance.  
• Locally advanced breast cancer – an invasive breast cancer that is large or has spread to areas near the breast, such as the chest wall.  
• HER2-positive breast cancer – any type of breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).  
• Triple negative breast cancer – breast cancer that tests negative for all three receptors – estrogen, progesterone and HER2.  
• Metastatic breast cancer – also known as advanced, secondary or stage 4 breast cancer, which has spread to other parts of the body such as the bones, liver or lungs.  

The above information has been sourced from the Breast Cancer Trials website.