October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, making it a good time to think about your breast health and whether you’re up to date on recommended screenings. 

Mammograms are an important tool for detecting breast cancer early, but breast cancer screening is not necessarily one-size-fits-all. Your age, family history, genetics, breast density and personal medical history can all affect your risk and the type of screening that may be appropriate for you.  

Start With Your Personal Risk 

For women at average risk, mammograms are the standard screening method for detecting breast cancer. Minnesota Oncology currently recommends annual mammograms for women ages 40–74. Women at higher risk may need to begin screening earlier or have additional screening, such as breast MRI.  

Understanding your personal risk can help you and your healthcare provider determine the screening approach that makes sense for you. 

Risk factors can include a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, certain genetic changes, a personal history of breast conditions, or dense breast tissue. Having dense breasts, for example, can make it more difficult to see some cancers on a mammogram and may also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.  

That’s why it’s important to talk with your doctor about more than just when to schedule your next mammogram. Ask about your individual risk and whether you could benefit from additional screening or genetic evaluation. 

Making Breast Health More Personalized 

Minnesota Oncology is partnering with Gabbi, a virtual breast clinic, to help women better understand their individual breast cancer risk. 

Gabbi provides a clinically validated online risk assessment that looks at factors such as family and medical history and helps identify the factors contributing to an individual’s breast cancer risk. Women can then meet virtually with a breast health specialist who reviews their results and develops a personalized care plan.  

If additional imaging or testing is recommended, the Gabbi care team can also help coordinate those next steps. The goal is to make it easier for women to understand their risk and connect with appropriate care. 

Make Screening Part of Your Routine 

Breast cancer screening is an important part of early detection. While mammograms remain a key screening tool, understanding your personal risk can help determine whether you need a different or more frequent screening approach.  

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take a moment to learn about your breast cancer risk, talk with your healthcare provider and make sure you’re following the screening plan that’s right for you. 

Learn more about breast cancer screening and Minnesota Oncology’s High-Risk Breast Program.