Women can take an active part in the early detection of breast cancer.
They should talk with their doctor about the symptoms to watch for and appropriate schedule of checkups. The doctor's advice will be based on the woman's age, medical history, and other factors. A mammogram is a special kind of x-ray. Mammography performed in women with no symptoms of breast cancer is usually called screening. Although mammography cannot find every breast cancer, it is currently the best early detection tool available.