Early diagnosis

The health care system allows women regular free breast-cancer screening from the age of 30 and above. This involves the doctor conducting a thorough manual examination of the breasts and underarm areas. The need for mammography and the frequency with which it should be conducted should be decided on that occasion.
Mammography is often complemented by an ultrasound examination.

Self-examination is particularly important. This should be carried out 1 time per month at a set time. In pre-menopausal women, this should be carried out in the first 10 days after a period, and in post-menopausal women, a set day each month should be chosen, e.g. the 1st of the month. This involves the woman, using both hands, feeling the glandular tissue in each of her breasts in turn, as well as the underarm and supraclavicular (collar bone) areas.