Dilemma of Breast Cancer Screening The American Cancer Society recommends breast cancer screening with modifying the suggested ages for annual and biannual preferences in decision making. Every woman must have a screening check every three years if there is no history of breast cancer in the family. With a history on both sides of the parents a six monthly screening is advised, after the age of 40. The dilemma here is that approximately 85 % of breast cancers are detected on routine mammography. The rest are detected by self-examination by the women themselves, or by doctors. The best time to self-examine is at the time of soaping whilst having a shower. Breasts are self-palpated gently and carefully with the flat of the palm and feeling every quadrant of the breast, whilst applying soap on the breast skin. The best time to examine is within a week after menses when the ...