breast cancer screening

November 28, 2022 医療・福祉東京都荒川区荒川区保健所

Breast cancer screening aims to reduce deaths from breast cancer.

The target audience is women of even ages over the age of 40 . Approximately one month or more before the month of birth, the city will mail a "Notice of Cancer Screening" to eligible persons. Please see the cancer screening information page for information on how to apply.

In addition, if you receive a "required detailed examination" in the medical examination, be sure to undergo a detailed examination.

What is breast cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that develops in the mammary glands of the breast.
The mammary gland consists of ducts and lobules, and 90% of cancers develop in the ducts.
The number of people who get breast cancer increases from the late 30s, and from the 40s onwards
The disease is most common among people in their 50s, and is relatively common among young people.
Breast cancer is highly curable if it is found when it is small, and more than 90% of cases can be cured if detected early.
The main symptom of breast cancer is a lump. Other symptoms include dimples and sores in the breast and discharge from the nipple.
If you have any of these symptoms, don't wait for a check-up and seek medical attention.

About Breast Awareness

Breast cancer is one of those cancers that you can find yourself.
Breast awareness means having an interest in the condition of your breasts on a daily basis and leading a “breast-conscious life”. Learn important lifestyle habits that lead to early detection and early treatment of breast cancer.

By keeping "breast awareness" in mind, you will increase your interest and awareness of your own breasts, and if you have any concerns, you will learn the correct behavior to immediately consult a medical institution.

1 Check your breasts when changing clothes or bathing

The skin of the breast is checked for dimples or dimples, sores or sores on the nipple or areola.
If there is nipple discharge, check the color.
First, place your fingers together and touch the entire area as if stroking.

2 Know the changes in your breasts

Check for any changes such as "harder than before" or "a lump that wasn't there before".
Check for "bloody discharge (black red or brown discharge)", "deformation", and "dents".

3 If you notice changes in your breasts, immediately visit a specialized medical institution (medical institution with mammary gland surgery or mammary gland outpatient clinic).

Many people think that breast diseases should be examined at a gynecologist, but breast cancer is examined and treated at a breast surgery department. If you feel even the slightest abnormality, don't wait for the next check-up and immediately see a breast surgery specialist.

4 If you are over the age of 40, have a breast cancer screening once every two years.

Breast cancer can be detected by self-examination. Be mindful of your breasts on a regular basis, and do a monthly self-examination to check for lumps, sunken nipples, or skin dimples.
The best timing for self-examination is within a week after the end of menstruation , as there is less swelling and pain in the breast. In addition, post-menopausal women should decide the day of the month and do it regularly.

Contents of breast cancer screening

Interview and mammogram.

* Until now, breast cancer screening has included physical examination, but it is no longer recommended due to domestic and international research. Therefore, physical examination was abolished from April 2017.

As a result of examining the breast cancer screening interval at a national expert meeting, it was decided to recommend breast cancer screening every two years and self-examination every month. For this reason, it is conducted every other year in accordance with national standards.

interview

In advance, we will ask you about your age at menarche, childbirth experience, previous menstruation, medical history, lifestyle habits, subjective symptoms, etc.

Mammography

X-rays are taken of the left and right breasts by holding a transparent plastic plate between them. By compressing the breast and spreading it thinly and evenly, the inside of the breast can be clearly imaged with a small amount of radiation. Since the image is taken as thin as possible, it may cause some pain. Mammography can detect small lumps and microcalcifications, which are early symptoms of breast cancer, and can also diagnose benign or malignant breast cancer.

Those who are not suitable for breast cancer screening

Those who are pregnant or may become pregnant
Those who are currently breast-feeding *Please see a doctor about 6 months after weaning.
Those who have an artificial object in the breast (breast augmentation, etc.)
Those undergoing thoracic surgery (rib fractures, bruises, etc.)
Those undergoing treatment for mammary gland disease
Those who have a bent back or cannot stand upright (about 7 minutes)
Those who have a cardiac pacemaker, VP shunt, or port (subcutaneous drug injection device) inserted in the body

*One week before menstruation, your breasts may feel tight and painful. We recommend that you visit us when your breasts are soft after menstruation.

If a detailed inspection is required

The ward will issue a referral letter for a detailed examination. (Introduction letter is free)

A detailed examination is performed at a medical institution to determine whether or not you have breast cancer. Most lumps are benign, so there is no need to be afraid. If you avoid detailed examinations, you will miss the chance of early detection. Be sure to visit a breast surgery specialist with a letter of introduction as soon as possible.

Types of detailed examinations for breast cancer screening

Ultrasound (echo)

Ultrasound examination for breast lesions. Not only can small lumps that cannot be detected by palpation can be detected, but also whether the lump is benign or malignant can be diagnosed. Suitable for mature mammary glands and young people.

Cytology

A slightly thicker needle is inserted into the breast to collect and examine cells. When a lump is found in diagnostic imaging, it is a very important test to determine whether it is benign or malignant. In many cases, this test will confirm the diagnosis.

tissue diagnosis

It is a method of taking out a part of the tissue and diagnosing it. Local anesthesia is required because the needle is thicker than in cytology. In addition, since there is a possibility of bleeding after the examination, pressure hemostasis is necessary.

Cooperating medical institutions that can perform detailed examinations (as of the end of June 2022)
Medical institution name	address	phone
Nippon Medical School Hospital	1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku	03-3822-2131
Tokyo Women's Medical University Adachi Medical Center	4-33-1 Kohoku, Adachi-ku	03-3857-0111
Araki Memorial Tokyo Riverside Hospital	8-4-4 Minamisenju	03-5850-0311
Kimura Hospital	1-1-1 Minamisenju	03-5615-2111
Hori Medical Clinic	1-1-9 Machiya Medical Center Medium Machiya 2F	03-3895-5400
Ogubashi Clinic	8-19-2 Higashiogu	03-3800-3020
Ishikawa Nippori Clinic	2-26-9 Nishinippori ST Building 1F	03-5850-5071
Mikawashima Tower Clinic	6-1-1 Higashi Nippori Atlas Brands Tower Mikawashima 2F	03-3806-1133

Please be sure to call in advance to confirm.
You can also have a medical examination at a medical institution other than the above, but please be sure to bring the referral letter that you received at the center when the results were explained.

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, please see the "Cancer Consultation/Support" page .

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