When should I start getting mammograms?
Breast cancer screening recommendations vary based on your age and individual risk. For women at average risk, many major medical organizations recommend beginning mammography at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer, a genetic mutation, or other risk factors, your healthcare provider may recommend starting earlier or using additional screening methods.

What’s the difference between a mammogram, ultrasound, and MRI?
A mammogram uses low-dose X-rays to look for changes in breast tissue and is the primary screening tool for breast cancer. Ultrasound uses sound waves and is often used to take a closer look at a specific area. Breast MRI uses magnetic imaging and contrast to provide highly detailed images and may be recommended for people at higher risk or in certain diagnostic situations.

What does it mean to have dense breast tissue?
Dense breasts contain more fibrous and glandular tissue relative to fatty tissue. Dense tissue can make breast cancer more difficult to see on a mammogram and is also associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Your healthcare provider can help you understand what your breast density means for you and whether additional screening should be considered.

How often should I get screened?
How often you should have a mammogram depends on your age, health history, individual risk, and the screening guidelines you and your healthcare provider follow. Some guidelines recommend annual screening beginning at age 40, while others recommend screening every other year. Talk with your healthcare provider about the schedule that's right for you.

What should I do if I notice a change between screenings?
Don't wait for your next routine mammogram. If you notice a new lump or thickening, nipple changes or discharge, changes in the skin or shape of the breast, or another new or unusual change, contact your healthcare provider—even if your most recent screening was normal.

The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening and care recommendations vary based on individual risk and medical history. Talk with your healthcare provider about what's right for you.

What happens if my screening shows an abnormality?
An abnormal screening result does not necessarily mean you have breast cancer. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional mammogram views, an ultrasound, MRI, or a biopsy to better understand what was found.

What is a biopsy, and does it hurt?
A biopsy removes a small sample of breast tissue so it can be examined for cancer cells. Most breast biopsies are minimally invasive and performed using local anesthesia. You may feel pressure or brief discomfort during the procedure and some soreness or bruising afterward.

How long does it take to get biopsy results?
Results are often available within several business days, although timing can vary depending on the type of biopsy, testing required, and healthcare facility. Your care team should let you know when and how you can expect to receive your results.

What questions should I ask after a breast cancer diagnosis?
Start by asking what type of breast cancer you have, its stage and important characteristics, including hormone receptor and HER2 status when applicable. Ask what additional testing may be needed, what treatment options are being considered, how quickly decisions need to be made, and who will be part of your care team. It is also okay to ask about fertility, menopause, sexual health, work, emotional well-being, financial support, and anything else that matters to your life, not just your treatment.

Is it okay to get a second opinion?
Absolutely. Seeking a second opinion is common and can help you better understand your diagnosis and treatment options or feel more confident about your care plan. You can ask your current healthcare team to help you obtain the medical records, imaging, and pathology needed for another specialist to review your case.

I’ve just been diagnosed. What should I do first?
A breast cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of information and decisions at once. You do not have to understand everything immediately. Ask your care team what needs to happen now, what can wait, and who you can contact with questions. Consider bringing someone you trust to appointments and taking notes or asking whether you can record the conversation. Give yourself permission to ask questions until you understand your options.

The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening and care recommendations vary based on individual risk and medical history. Talk with your healthcare provider about what's right for you.

What treatment options are available for breast cancer?
Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments. The options recommended will depend on the specific characteristics of your breast cancer and your individual circumstances.

How is my treatment plan decided?
Your care team considers factors including the type and stage of breast cancer, tumor size, lymph node involvement, hormone receptor and HER2 status, genetic or genomic testing when appropriate, your overall health, and your personal preferences. Your treatment plan may also evolve as your care progresses.

What side effects should I expect?
Side effects vary widely depending on the treatment and the individual. They may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, pain, changes in appetite, cognitive changes, sexual health concerns, and symptoms related to early or treatment-induced menopause. Ask your care team what you might expect, what can be prevented or managed, and when you should contact them.

Can I continue working and doing my normal activities during treatment?
Many people continue working, exercising, caring for family, and participating in daily life during treatment, often with adjustments. Others need more time to rest or recover. How you feel can change throughout treatment, so give yourself permission to adapt and talk with your care team about what is safe and realistic for you.

What support is available during treatment?
Support can extend well beyond your oncology team. Patient navigators, social workers, mental health professionals, nutrition specialists, physical therapists, support groups, financial counselors, fertility specialists, and other resources may be available depending on your needs. Ask your care team what support services are available to you.

How involved can I be in decisions about my treatment?
You are an important part of your care team. Ask why a treatment is being recommended, what its potential benefits and risks are, whether there are alternatives, and how different options could affect your health and quality of life. Share what matters to you, including concerns about fertility, menopause, sexual health, work, family, long-term health, and daily life, so those priorities can be part of the conversation.

The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening and care recommendations vary based on individual risk and medical history. Talk with your healthcare provider about what's right for you.

What does survivorship mean?
Survivorship is often described as beginning at diagnosis and continuing throughout treatment and beyond. It includes not only monitoring for recurrence, but also navigating the physical, emotional, social, and practical effects of breast cancer and its treatment over time.

What follow-up care is needed after treatment?
Follow-up care depends on your diagnosis, treatment, and individual risk. It may include regular visits with your healthcare team, breast imaging when appropriate, monitoring for recurrence or a new cancer, and managing short- and long-term effects of treatment. Ask your care team for a survivorship care plan that explains what follow-up you need and who will oversee each part of your care.

How can I manage fear of recurrence?
Fear of recurrence is common and may become stronger around follow-up appointments, scans, or new symptoms. Talking openly with your care team, connecting with a mental health professional or support community, and finding strategies that help you manage uncertainty can make a difference. If fear begins interfering with your daily life, let your healthcare provider know.

How can breast cancer affect mental and emotional health?
The emotional impact of breast cancer does not necessarily end when treatment ends. Survivors may experience anxiety, grief, depression, changes in body image, relationship or sexual-health concerns, or shifts in identity and how they see themselves. Support from mental health professionals, other survivors, family, friends, and community can be an important part of survivorship.

How can I support my body and well-being after treatment?
Regular physical activity, nutritious food, adequate sleep, emotional support, and staying connected to your healthcare team can all support long-term health. Your needs may be different after treatment, so work with your care team to develop an approach that considers your treatment history, current health, and what feels realistic for you.

What other areas of my health should I be thinking about after breast cancer?
Breast cancer and some treatments can affect health beyond the breast, including bone health, heart health, fertility, sexual health, and menopause symptoms. Ask your care team which long-term effects may be relevant to your treatment history and whether you should involve other specialists in your ongoing care.

Why can life after treatment feel harder than I expected?
Finishing treatment can bring relief, but it can also be an unexpectedly difficult transition. Appointments may become less frequent while you are still processing what happened, managing lasting side effects, or adjusting to changes in your body, relationships, work, and sense of self. There is no single way you are supposed to feel after treatment, and asking for continued support is an important part of survivorship care.

The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Screening and care recommendations vary based on individual risk and medical history. Talk with your healthcare provider about what's right for you.