Breast Health at Every Age: A Simple Guide

In your 20s and 30s

This is mainly a time for general self-awareness — knowing how your breasts normally look and feel, so you'd notice if something genuinely changed. There's no need for routine mammograms yet at average risk, but any new lump, unusual pain, or discharge should still be checked, not assumed to be nothing.

In your 40s

This is generally when regular mammography screening starts being recommended for women at average risk, though the exact age depends on personal and family history. This is a good decade to have a direct conversation with Dr. Chandak about a personal screening plan.

In your 50s and beyond

Regular screening continues to matter through this decade and beyond. If a mammogram shows dense breast tissue, sono-mammography is often added alongside it, since ultrasound can see more clearly through dense tissue.

At any age: family history changes the picture

If a close family member has had breast cancer, screening may reasonably start earlier or happen more frequently, regardless of your current age. This is worth discussing directly with Dr. Chandak rather than following general guidelines alone.

The one constant, at every age

Any new lump, persistent pain, or discharge deserves a proper check — at 25 or at 65. Most findings turn out to be benign, but the only way to know for certain is to have it looked at. See our Breast Cancer Screening page for more on what screening involves.

Frequently asked questions