In Early-Stage Breast Cancer, a Lump May Not Yet Be Felt.
43%* of breast cancer patients who found nothing unusual during a breast self-examination were successfully treated because they chose to get a mammogram.
Not Felt ≠ Not There
Why You May Not Feel It During a Self-Exam
The American Cancer Society encourages women to know their breasts. But not feeling a lump can give false reassurance. Self-exams alone aren't enough.
Who Should Get Breast Cancer Screening
Risk Level
High Risk
Your mother or sister has had breast cancer, or you carry a known gene mutation
Age
30+
Get a baseline screening for your personal records, then screen every year
Risk Level
Average Risk
Ages
35–40
Get a baseline screening for your personal records
Age
40+
Screen every year
Why Choose Bangkok Hospital for Your Screening
3D Digital Mammography
Captures layered 3D images of the breast, improving the chances of detecting calcifications or small tumors
Your Records Kept for 5 Years
When you return for follow-up screenings, your doctor can compare your current images with those from previous years to track any changes over time
Dedicated Breast Center and Specialists
At Bangkok Hospital, our breast imaging radiologists work alongside breast surgeons, so if anything abnormal is found, a treatment plan can begin right away
Bangkok & Central
West
South
East
Northeast
North
Yes, screening is still necessary.
Statistics show that more than 70–75% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history or inherited genetic risk. Breast cancer can develop from many factors, such as aging, lifestyle, or estrogen imbalance. Screening isn’t only for those at high risk. It matters for every woman.
Yes, both can be screened as usual.
Breast size has no link to your risk of developing the disease. For women with breast implants, Bangkok Hospital’s specialized radiologic technologists are experienced in implant displacement techniques, gently moving the implant back so the machine can compress the natural breast tissue and capture X-ray images safely, with a very low risk of rupture or leakage. However, please inform our staff before your screening.
Non-modifiable risk factors
- Being female and getting older, especially after age 50
- A family history of breast or ovarian cancer in a first-degree relative
- Mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, or related genes such as PALB2 and TP53
- Starting menstruation before age 12 or reaching menopause after age 55
- Dense breast tissue
- Previous radiation therapy to the chest
Modifiable risk factors
- Long-term use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause
- Being overweight or obese after menopause
- Drinking alcohol, smoking, and lack of physical activity
- Not having children, or having a first child after age 30
- A lump or an area that feels harder than usual in the breast or armpit
- Skin dimpling or thickening that looks like orange peel (peau d’orange)
- A newly inverted nipple (nipple retraction), or a rash, sore, or crusting on the nipple or areola
- Discharge or bleeding from one nipple
- Unexplained changes in breast size or shape
- Breast swelling, redness, or warmth without an infection
These symptoms may be caused by non-cancerous conditions, but they should be evaluated by a specialist.
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast used to detect lumps, architectural distortion of the breast tissue, and abnormal calcifications. It is the standard method for breast cancer screening and has been shown to reduce deaths from the disease. 3D digital mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) captures images from multiple angles, reducing overlapping tissue and improving accuracy, especially for women with dense breasts. The radiation dose is low and within safe limits.
Breast ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves with no radiation. It is effective at distinguishing fluid-filled cysts from solid masses and can help assess whether a lump shows signs of breast cancer. Dense breast tissue, which is common among Asian women, can hide abnormalities on a mammogram, so combining both methods improves detection. Meanwhile, a mammogram remains essential for finding tiny calcifications, which are difficult to see on ultrasound.
- No fasting is required
- The best time is 7–10 days after your period starts, when your breasts are least tender
- Avoid applying powder, lotion, or deodorant to your breasts and underarms on the day of your exam, as they may appear as spots resembling calcifications on the images
- Let your doctor know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have breast implants
- Bring your previous results so the radiologist can compare any changes
A definitive diagnosis requires a pathological tissue examination. This is usually done with a core needle biopsy guided by ultrasound or mammography. It is an outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia. The biopsy results also identify the cancer subtype based on hormone receptors (ER, PR) and HER2 protein status, which helps guide treatment planning.