If you know you are at increased risk, there is no question that the way you approach screening should be different. The risk of getting the disease increases with age but as long as a woman is in good health, she should continue getting routine mammograms.

BSE (Breast Self Examination) plays less important role in detecting breast cancer compared with self-awareness. Often, woman who do detect their won breast cancer find it outside of a structured breast self-exam; they may detect a lump while showering or getting dressed.

It is recommended women 40 years of age receive a screening mammogram every one to two years. Patients at high risk of breast cancer (especially those with a strong family history of breast cancer) should consult their doctor about beginning annual mammograms prior to age 40. Depending upon the results of a screening mammogram, or as part of follow up to a diagnostic mammogram, women may need to come back for additional mammography and diagnostic testing on a more frequent basis. Data suggest that breast cancer grows more rapidly in women younger than 50, and the sensitivity of mammography is lower in this age group; thus, shorter screening intervals have been advocated for women aged 40-49.

The goal of mammography is to try to identify women who have breast cancer but are unaware of it (asymptomatic women). If a patient has a lump or other change and the mammogram is "negative" (interpreted as not suspicious or cancerous), the patient should pursue that finding further with her doctor. In some cases, a lump that is not suspicious on a mammogram may be followed up with a clinical breast exam or a follow up mammogram in six months instead of twelve.

A negative mammogram report should not be interpreted as meaning that there is no chance of breast cancer. It also does not mean that the breasts are "normal". Many (if not most) breasts contain "abnormalities" such as calcifications or masses. It is only when these areas show changes sufficiently different from the average patient that the mammogram is interpreted as "abnormal". That is why regular mammography and comparison with prior films is critical.