At MIT Health, we know that breast health is an important part of women’s health and women’s lives. We know that early detection is key to the successful treatment of breast cancer.
We also know that no two women are exactly alike. Depending on your individual level of risk, you may need earlier, more frequent, or different kinds of screening.
Information is power. Knowing your risk level and understanding your screening options allows you to make the best possible decisions about your breast health. The information on this webpage is intended to jump-start a conversation between you and your provider that will help you learn about your options for breast cancer screening, weigh risks and benefits, and make healthcare decisions that are right for you.
Understanding breast cancer screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women at average risk of breast cancer have a screening mammogram every other year, beginning at age 40. For women at higher-than-average risk of breast cancer, USPSTF recommends annual digital mammography, beginning between the ages of 25 and 40.
Mammography
MIT Health’s Radiology Service uses a 3D mammography system known as “digital breast tomosynthesis” (DBT). DBT creates a very clear, three-dimensional rendering of the entire breast, in contrast to conventional mammography, which produces a single, flattened image. DBT has been shown to increase rates of cancer detection and may be particularly useful for the more than 40 percent of women who have dense breasts.
Supplemental screening
If you are at higher-than-average risk of breast cancer, your provider may recommend more frequent screening mammograms, additional types of screening, and/or genetic testing.
Understanding risk
Research has identified many risk factors for breast cancer. These include age, family history, reproductive history, possible genetic mutations, and environmental factors.
When you use an online risk-assessment calculation tool, like the ones below, you’ll answer questions about some of these risk factors. The calculator will use your answers to produce an estimate of your risk over some period of time — typically the next five years, 10 years, or the remainder of your lifetime.
It’s important to remember that this number is calculated by comparing your responses to population data. But population data cannot reflect an individual’s level of risk with complete accuracy. Use your results as the starting point for a conversation with your provider. Together, you and your provider can determine the best ways to monitor your breast health.
- IBIS (International Breast Cancer Intervention Study) Risk Evaluation Tool: This tool estimates an individual’s likelihood of developing breast cancer within 10 years and over the course of a lifetime.
- BWHS (Black Women’s Health Study) Breast Cancer Risk Calculator: This tool estimates an individual’s risk of developing invasive breast cancer over the next five years. This test was derived from and tested on data from U.S. Black women.
Next steps
At MIT Health, our approach to breast health involves open communication, patient-provider collaboration, and mutual respect. “Shared decision making” means that your provider will make sure you understand the potential outcomes of screening and are able to weigh risks and benefits to make informed choices that align with your preferences and health goals.
If you are due for a screening mammogram, you can schedule online right now — just click on the button below. You can also choose to schedule a visit with your primary care provider to discuss your individual risk factors and breast-screening options.
Schedule a mammogram appointment
Schedule a visit with your primary care provider