When should I start screening for breast cancer?

“What if the test shows I have cancer?” It’s a question that scares far too many women into procrastinating their breast screening. For many, a breast cancer diagnosis can evoke imagery of a life crammed with endless hospital visits or long hours in sterile wards. However, advances in medicine have made it possible for women to be treated effectively without their routines and confidence being thrown off completely.

While it is understandable to feel scared, it shouldn’t stop you from getting breast cancer screening done from time to time. Early detection doesn’t take life away, it gives it back. According to a report by the National Academy of Medical Sciences, the five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed at stage I is 95%, compared to just 21% for those at stage IV.

Tahira Kashyap and Mahima Chaudhry, who were diagnosed with breast cancer, use their platforms to remind women of the power of regular screening. They both had their cancer detected at an early stage and were able to get the right treatment. Diagnosis at an early stage opens doors to treatments that not only help in remission but also help to prevent recurrence.

Dr Shona Nag, Director of Oncology at Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, Pune, emphasises, “It’s now more important than ever to understand the type of breast cancer a woman has. Earlier, chemotherapy used to be our only option after surgery. While effective, it often affects healthy cells too, making treatment tougher. Today, advances in medicine allow us to treat breast cancer more precisely.”

Understanding types of breast cancer

Breast cancer isn’t a single disease. It has multiple subtypes, each behaving and responding to treatment differently. Identifying the subtype helps doctors choose the most effective therapy. Doctors classify them based on certain features of the cancer cells, especially the proteins or receptors found on their surface. One common type is called hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. These cancer cells have special receptors that respond to our body’s natural female hormones—estrogen and progesterone. These hormones act like fuel, helping the cancer cells grow. Treatments for this type of cancer aim to block or lower these hormones, cutting off their “food supply.”

Another type is known as HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2 is a protein found in everyone’s body that helps normal cells grow. But when there’s too much HER2, it can trigger cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumour. This type tends to grow more aggressively, but today, targeted therapies have made it much more treatable. “In HER2-positive breast cancer, we can use targeted therapies that specifically block the proteins responsible for cancer growth,” Dr Nag informs. “This not only helps stop the tumour from growing but also reduces the chance of it coming back.”

Previously administered through IV infusions, these can now be given through a simple injection under your skin. “This subcutaneous mode of administration has equivalent efficacy to the IV infusions,” Nag explains.

When to get screened

If you or someone you love has been delaying a breast cancer screening, this is a cue to start routine checkups. Dr Palanki Satya Dattatreya, Chief Medical Oncologist, Renova Soumya Cancer Centre, Secunderabad, says, “Be alert to any changes in size, shape, colour, or texture, or to unusual discharge or lumps.” He adds that not all lumps are painful and must be checked, irrespective of whether they cause discomfort or not.

It’s important to be familiar with your breasts, so you can notice any unusual changes early. Regularly performing self-exam is helpful in spotting these changes. For women over 40, a mammogram remains the gold standard for spotting cancers even before symptoms appear. In younger women or those with dense breast tissue, doctors may also recommend an ultrasound or even an MRI for clearer imaging. Together, these tools make it possible to detect breast cancer at the earliest.

Dr Dattatreya recommends women above 40 to go for annual checkups and those in their 20s and 30s to do monthly self-exams and a clinical breast check every few years.

Detecting cancer early not only improves survival but can also mean less aggressive treatment, better quality of life, and lower emotional and financial burden. The power truly lies in awareness and action because when we take charge of our health, we take charge of our future.

Disclaimer: Issued in public interest in partnership with Roche Pharmaceuticals India. This information is for awareness only. Please consult your doctor for more information.