Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death for women. Early detection of breast cancer using screening tests such as mammography and ultrasound improves outcomes by finding the cancer when it is most likely to be cured. 

Breast cancer screening is recommended for all women starting at age 40. Women with a family history of breast cancer, genetic predisposition due to a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, or a personal history of breast cancer may need to start screening earlier, have it more often, and/or have additional testing such as breast MRI. If you have had chest radiation, particularly before age 30, or have other risk factors, such as dense breast tissue, we can tailor a personalized screening plan for you. 

Englewood Health offers 3D digital mammography, ultrasound, and breast MRI to screen for breast cancer. Breast imaging is available at four locations in Englewood, Emerson, Fair Lawn, and Jersey City. Learn more about breast imaging services

Diagnosing and Staging Breast Cancer

If a breast cancer screening test suggests a potential abnormality, further testing helps us confirm or rule out cancer. Our specialists use the latest technologies to ensure a timely and accurate diagnosis and to guide the best choice of treatment.

• Diagnostic mammogram: This X-ray captures multiple angles of the breast to produce a more detailed image when suspicious breast changes are detected on a screening mammogram.
• Fine-needle aspiration biopsy: Guided by imaging, a thin needle is used to withdraw a small sample of fluid or breast tissue to check for cancer cells.
• Core biopsy: The doctor inserts a wide, hollow needle to obtain samples of abnormal breast tissue, which is then examined by a pathologist.
• Surgical breast biopsy: When a fine-needle or core biopsy is inconclusive, a surgeon removes tissue samples in an operating room for further analysis.

Once the diagnosis of breast cancer has been made, doctors may recommend additional tests to see if breast cancer has spread. This process is called staging. These tests may include a bone scan, chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan. During breast cancer surgery, the surgeon performs sentinel lymph node biopsy: removing the first underarm lymph node(s) draining the affected breast to see if cancer cells are present. If there are no cancer cells in the sentinel node(s), then no additional lymph nodes need to be taken out.