Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Free Mammography Screening

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a highly critical health initiative held every October worldwide to protect women's health and emphasize the life-saving power of early diagnosis in breast cancer. During this meaningful period, believing in the power of early detection, BHT Clinic stands by your side in the fight against breast cancer by offering free mammography screenings to women over the age of 40. Our goal is to secure your breast health with our advanced technology imaging systems and detect potential risks before they even show symptoms. This small step you take for your health will create a great safeguard for your future.

• Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and when detected at an early stage, the treatment success rate rises above 90 percent.
• Throughout October, free mammography screenings are being provided to women aged 40 and over at BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi.
• The #zamankaybetme (Don't Waste Time) project has reached broad audiences with the support and participation of many famous figures from the worlds of art and politics.
• State-of-the-art mammography devices that emit low-dose radiation and provide pain control are used in our screening procedures.
• If you notice symptoms such as a palpable lump in the breast, an orange-peel appearance on the skin, or nipple discharge, you should consult a specialist physician without delay.

What is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the #zamankaybetme Project?

October is a special period when breast cancer awareness campaigns are conducted all over the world. Within this scope, as BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, we have launched a major social responsibility project. With this project, initiated under the theme #zamankaybetme, we are offering free breast examinations and mammography screening services to all our women aged 40 and over throughout October. Our aim is to ensure that women become aware of their own health and to contribute to making regular screenings a lifelong habit.

At the launch event of our project, many esteemed figures from the worlds of art and politics supported us to draw attention to the importance of early diagnosis in breast cancer. Names such as Ayhan Aşan, Ayla Aşan, Ece Gürsel, Esra Sönmezer, Yeşim Akıncı, Sema Aydemir, Adem Kılıçcı, District Governor of Küçükçekmece Turan Bedirhanoğlu, District Governor of Başakşehir Uğur Turan, and Mayor of Küçükçekmece Kemal Çebi invited all women to join this fight. Speaking at the event hosted by famous television presenter Gökay Kalaycıoğlu, Dr. Reşat Bahat, Chairman of the Board of BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, emphasized that breast cancer, which affects one in every eight women, can be detected at its initial stage with imaging methods and is a highly treatable disease. For this purpose, our hospital provides services with our state-of-the-art mammography device that performs imaging with low-dose radiation and pain control.

What Are the Risk Factors for Breast Cancer?

This disease, which occurs when the cells making up the breast tissue multiply uncontrollably, is seen more frequently in individuals with certain risk factors. Age is one of the most prominent risk factors; the risk increases significantly, especially after the age of 40. A history of breast cancer in the family, particularly in first-degree relatives such as a mother, sister, or aunt, increases genetic susceptibility and raises the risk. Having BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations also takes the lead among hereditary risks.

In addition, starting menstruation at an early age and entering menopause late can increase the risk as it causes the body to be exposed to the estrogen hormone for a longer period. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption, and long-term hormone replacement therapies are also among the modifiable risk factors. To better understand your own risk profile and learn about the changes you can make in your lifestyle, you can read our article Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Uncontrollable and Modifiable. Regular screenings allow you to catch the disease at its earliest stage, even if you have these risk factors.

What Are the Symptoms of Breast Cancer?

In the early stages of the disease, there is usually no pain or noticeable complaint. Therefore, participating in regular screenings rather than waiting for symptoms is of vital importance. However, as the disease progresses or the lump grows, some physical changes begin to appear. Paying attention to these changes while performing breast self-exams will accelerate the early diagnosis process.

The most common symptoms include palpable, usually painless, and hard lumps in the breast or armpit. Redness, thickening, sores, or a dimpled appearance resembling an orange peel on the breast skin are also signs that should be taken seriously. If the nipple suddenly retracts inward, asymmetrical changes in shape occur, or if there is particularly bloody or clear discharge from the nipple, a specialist must be consulted without delay. Sudden, unexplained differences in the size or shape of the breast are also on the list of symptoms.

Why is Early Diagnosis Important?

Early diagnosis is the detection of the disease before cancer cells spread outside the breast tissue, that is, before they metastasize to the lymph nodes or other organs. Treatment options are much broader and success rates are much higher in cases caught at this stage. The main advantages of early diagnosis are:

• High Survival Rate: The five-year survival rate in early-stage breast cancer exceeds 90 percent.
• Breast-Conserving Surgery Opportunity: When the tumor is detected while small, only the tumorous tissue can be removed without the need to remove the entire breast (mastectomy).
• Milder Treatments: In early-stage cases, the need for heavy chemotherapy processes may decrease, and patients can complete the treatment with fewer side effects.
• Fast Recovery Process: Since the treatment process is shorter and less exhausting, patients can return to their daily and social lives much faster.
• Psychological Comfort: Taking the disease under control at an early stage allows the patient and their family to get through the treatment process with much higher morale.

Mammography and Diagnostic Methods: How is it Diagnosed at the Hospital?

The gold standard method in the diagnosis of breast cancer is mammography. Mammography is a screening test that allows the breast tissue to be imaged in detail using low-dose X-rays. The state-of-the-art mammography devices used at BHT CLINIC allow women to experience the screening process much more comfortably by providing pain and discomfort control in addition to their low-dose radiation emission feature. Many women may postpone mammography due to fear of pain; however, with our new generation devices, this process is completed quite comfortably and quickly.

If a suspicious area is detected as a result of the mammography, additional methods such as breast ultrasonography or magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging may be used to clarify the diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis is made by examining a tissue sample taken from the suspicious area in the pathology laboratory, namely the biopsy procedure. To get detailed information about which screening methods you should apply for at what age, you can read our guide titled Screening and Examination Schedule by Age: A Roadmap for Your Breast Health.

Conditions for Participating in Free Mammography Screening

Our free mammography screening campaign, which we continue throughout October, has been specially planned to protect public health and increase early diagnosis rates. The participation conditions determined to take advantage of this valuable opportunity and take control of your health are quite simple. You are expected to meet the following conditions to benefit from our campaign:

• Age Criterion: Our screening program is valid for women aged 40 and over, where the risk of breast cancer increases significantly.
• Campaign Duration: Our free screening service is valid throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
• Appointment System: In order to prevent crowding and provide you with the best service, an appointment must be made in advance for the screening.
• Routine Screening Purpose: Our campaign is organized to support the routine check-ups of women who have not already been diagnosed with breast cancer and have not had a mammography within the last year.
• Pregnancy Status: Since it is a procedure involving radiation, mammography is not performed on women who are pregnant or suspect they might be pregnant.

When Should You See a Doctor?

When you notice any unusual changes related to your breast health, you should consult a general surgery specialist without wasting time. A newly formed and persistent lump in the breast, colour changes on the breast skin, bloody discharge from the nipple, or asymmetrical growth in the breast are conditions that require urgent medical evaluation. Keeping up with your regular screenings is the most reliable way to catch the disease before these symptoms appear.

Although breast cancer does not usually create a sudden and urgent picture, in cases of infection such as sudden severe redness, increased heat, unbearable pain, and high fever in the breast (suspected acute mastitis or abscess) or severe trauma to the breast, you should immediately call 112 or apply to our hospital's Emergency Medicine department 24/7. In our emergency room, the necessary first aid is provided to bring the infection or trauma under control, and then you are safely referred to the relevant specialty department.

Breast Health and Screening Process at BHT CLINIC

At BHT CLINIC İstanbul Tema Hastanesi, your breast health screening process is carried out with great care, prioritizing your comfort and privacy. From the moment you step into our hospital, our experienced patient consultants welcome you and quickly complete your registration process. In our imaging center, your scan is performed by our expert technicians with our state-of-the-art low-dose radiation and pain-controlled mammography device. The imaging process usually takes only a few minutes, and you can immediately return to your daily life.

The obtained images are examined in detail by our specialist physicians in the field of breast radiology. If any suspicious findings are encountered, our multidisciplinary tumor board, consisting of general surgery, oncology, radiology, and pathology specialists, steps in. In this way, the entire process from diagnosis to treatment is planned in a single centre, in safe hands. To stop postponing your health and take advantage of the free screening opportunity, you can take the first step by booking an appointment right away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the free mammography screening continue?

Our free mammography screening campaign continues throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. You can benefit from our campaign by making an appointment during this period.

Will I feel pain during the mammography?

The state-of-the-art mammography devices used in our hospital have special systems that provide pain and discomfort control. Although the gentle pressure applied to the breast during the scan may cause a brief feeling of discomfort, this usually does not reach the level of pain, and the procedure is completed very quickly.

Can those under 40 benefit from free screening?

According to international health standards and medical guidelines, routine mammography screenings are recommended starting from the age of 40. Therefore, our free screening campaign covers women aged 40 and over. Women under 40 may be directed to different screening methods such as ultrasonography upon a physician's recommendation.

How long does a mammography take?

The mammography imaging process is a very fast and practical procedure. The total procedure time, including the preparation phase, generally varies between 10 and 15 minutes. You can return to your daily life immediately after the scan.

If a suspicious lump is found as a result of the screening, how does the process proceed?

If a suspicious finding is encountered as a result of the mammography, our radiology specialists report the situation in detail. Afterwards, advanced tests such as breast ultrasonography or biopsy are planned for a definitive diagnosis, and the process is meticulously followed by our specialist physicians.

This article is for informational purposes only; always consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.