Baylor Plano Breast Cancer Screening and Early Detection

The Baylor Women's Center at Plano wants to equip you with information and technology to help detect any breast health issues early, giving you the best chances of fighting any problems. You play an important role in detecting any changes with your breasts by conducting monthly self-exams by age 20, getting yearly clinical exams by a health care professional by age 20 and getting regular mammograms by age 40. We also recommend women age 35 and older have a computerized breast cancer risk assessment conducted.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

Breast Self-Exam
There are three ways to conduct breast self exams, one of which should be done every month by all women age 20 and older.

• In the shower
  Put one hand behind the head. With fingers flat (do not use fingertips), move hand over entire breast area. Use right hand for left breast, left hand for right. Move your hand in a vertical (up and down) motion. Check for lumps, knots or thickenings.
• In front of a Mirror
  With your hands at your sides, look for changes in the shape, size or skin texture or your breasts. Raise arms above the head and check for any changes. Also check nipples for any crust or discharge.
• Lying down
  To examine the right breast, place a pillow under the right shoulder and place right hand behind your head. Follow the same technique used in the shower, using the left hand to examine the right breast. Switch pillow to left shoulder, put left hand behind head and repeat steps with right hand for left breast.

Learn more about breast self-exam.

Screening Mammography
The American Cancer Society recommends women age 40 and over get a mammogram every year. Screening may begin earlier if clinically indicated. The Baylor Women's Center at Plano provides routine mammography screenings, as well as a wide range of diagnostic options in a warm and relaxing environment.

Accredited by the American College of Radiology, we provide all digital, high-resolution mammography with computer-aided detection for review of screening mammograms conducted by on-site certified mammography technologists, radiologists and physician specialists on the medical staff at Baylor Plano for team approach to care.

We also offer Saturday Mammography Clinics to accommodate your busy schedule.

Other specialized services offered by the Baylor Women's Center at Plano include:

• Stereotactic biopsy
• Genetic testing
• Breast MRI
• MRI guided breast biopsy
• Breast ultrasound
• Cyst aspiration
• Consultation
• Image guided breast biopsy
• Lesion localization

To schedule a screening mammogram, call (469) 814-5500 or 1-800-4BAYLOR.