Be on the lookout for changes in your breasts
Most changes in the breast are benign. What matters most is not so much performing a perfect self-exam as it is being aware of changes in your own breasts and recognizing any possible abnormalities. It is especially important to pay attention to new or unfamiliar changes. If a self-examination causes anxiety or stress, it is not necessary to perform it, as a digital rectal exam alone is not a method of early detection.
Regular self-exams and visual checks in front of a mirror can help you detect changes in your breasts early on. Any new changes should be examined promptly by a specialist.
What specific details should you pay attention to?
- New lumps or hard areas in the breast or armpit
- Changes in breast shape or size
- Indentations or dents in the skin
- Redness or swelling
- Changes in the Nipple
- Fluid discharge from the nipple
Important to Know
As mentioned earlier, most changes in the breast are benign. Nevertheless, if you notice anything unusual, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have it checked out.
Mammography and Breast Ultrasound
The Radiology Department at the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) offers a variety of state-of-the-art imaging techniques for breast imaging.
The proven method for early detection of breast cancer
Mammography, a specialized X-ray examination, is a proven method for the early detection of breast cancer. It can detect changes before they are palpable and is the recommended method for the early detection of breast cancer.
A breast ultrasound can be a useful supplement to a mammogram. It provides additional information, particularly in cases of dense breast tissue, and helps to assess abnormal findings more accurately; however, it is not a standalone method for early detection.
At the University Hospital of Zurich, experienced specialists perform mammograms using state-of-the-art technology and evaluate the results through an interdisciplinary approach.
Breast CT: Mammography Without Compression
The USZ is the first institution in the world—and the only one in Switzerland—to have a spiral computed tomography (CT) scanner (mammary CT) for examining the female breast. With mammography CT, mammograms can be performed without applying pressure to the breast, since the exam is conducted while the patient is lying on her stomach without compression.
More About Mammograms and Breast Ultrasounds
Working Together for Your Health
Early detection starts with paying attention. Make time regularly to perform a self-exam, and have any abnormalities checked out as soon as possible. The experts at the Breast Center at the University Hospital of Zurich are here to support you with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and extensive experience.
