Breast cancer can affect anyone, but some individuals carry a higher risk due to a combination of genetic, hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors. While many risk factors, like age, family history, or breast density, cannot be changed, understanding them empowers you to take proactive steps toward early detection and prevention.

Key unchangeable factors include being a woman, growing older, having dense breast tissue, or a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer, especially in first-degree relatives. Genetic mutations like BRCA1 or BRCA2 can also significantly increase risk. Early menstruation, late menopause, and previous radiation therapy to the chest are additional contributors.
Certain lifestyle choices and health behaviors can also influence your risk. These include physical inactivity, being overweight after menopause, drinking alcohol, and using hormone therapy or certain birth control pills. Reproductive factors, such as having your first child after age 30, never having a full-term pregnancy, or not breastfeeding, can also raise your risk.

While you can’t control every factor, staying informed, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and participating in regular screening, especially if you have dense breasts or other high-risk indicators, can make a meaningful difference. At Santa Barbara Women’s Imaging Center, we’re here to help you understand your personal risk and support you every step of the way.

Yes. While breast cancer is far more common in women, men can develop it too. In fact, about 1 in every 100 breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. occurs in a man. Because it is rare, symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for something else, which can delay diagnosis. That’s why awareness matters.

Men should be aware of key warning signs, including a lump or swelling in the chest area, tenderness, changes in the nipple such as inversion or pain, discharge (especially clear or bloody), or noticeable changes to the skin on the chest, like dimpling, redness, or scaliness. These symptoms can be subtle and painless but should never be ignored.

If you notice any changes in your chest area, it’s important to talk to your doctor right away. Early detection leads to better outcomes. If you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, or known genetic risk factors, your provider may recommend additional screening or genetic counseling. At Santa Barbara Women’s Imaging Center, we’re committed to compassionate, inclusive care and early detection for all individuals, regardless of gender.

Reliable information is an important part of taking charge of your health. Locally, the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara (BCRC) offers free programs, support groups, and educational materials for patients and families. You can call or visit them to connect with trained staff and volunteers who understand the journey.

For trusted web-based resources, the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/cancer/breast) provide up-to-date information on prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship. The National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov) is another excellent source for research-based information.

Together, these resources can help you better understand breast cancer and find the support you need.

Mammography is used for both routine screening and for evaluating specific symptoms.

A screening mammogram is recommended for individuals with no current symptoms. These exams are used to detect breast changes before they can be felt or seen. The Society of Breast Imaging recommends that women at average risk for breast cancer begin annual mammograms at age 40. When breast cancer is found early, it is more likely to be treated successfully, with better long-term outcomes.

A diagnostic mammogram is performed when there are signs or symptoms of a breast problem, such as a lump, pain, or nipple discharge. This exam provides more detailed images to help clarify what is causing the symptom.

Some individuals may be at higher risk and should talk with their doctor about beginning screenings earlier, having more frequent exams, or adding other imaging like breast ultrasound or MRI.

Increased risk factors may include:

• Family history of breast cancer
• Known genetic mutations (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• Dense breast tissue
• Personal history of breast cancer

It’s important to remember that mammography is a tool for detection, not prevention. Keeping up with routine screenings, based on your age, risk, and your doctor’s guidance, offers the best chance of detecting cancer early, when it’s most treatable.

Breast density refers to the ratio of fatty tissue to fibrous and glandular tissue seen on a mammogram. There are four categories, ranging from mostly fatty to extremely dense. If your tissue falls into category C (heterogeneously dense) or D (extremely dense), you are considered to have dense breasts, a common finding that applies to nearly half of all women who have mammograms.

Dense breast tissue is completely normal, but it can slightly increase your risk of breast cancer and make it harder to detect abnormalities on a standard mammogram. That’s why California law requires imaging centers to notify patients if their mammogram shows dense breast tissue.

If you receive this notification, you’re encouraged to talk with your healthcare provider about what it means for you. Additional imaging, such as whole breast ultrasound or MRI, may be recommended to ensure the most accurate screening possible. Our team is here to support your care with clarity, compassion, and advanced technology.

3D mammography, also known as digital breast tomosynthesis, is an advanced imaging technology that creates a more detailed view of the breast than traditional 2D mammograms. It works by capturing multiple images from different angles, which are then reconstructed into thin layers, allowing radiologists to examine breast tissue more clearly and accurately.

This added detail improves cancer detection, especially in dense breast tissue, and reduces the likelihood of being called back for additional imaging. The exam feels the same as a traditional mammogram but offers greater clarity, helping detect small or hidden abnormalities at their earliest, most treatable stage.

A screening mammogram typically takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. During the exam, each breast is gently compressed for about 20 to 30 seconds while images are captured. Most screenings involve two views of each breast, so total compression time is usually under two minutes.

Both 2D and 3D mammograms take roughly the same amount of time. If additional views are needed, such as during a diagnostic exam, the appointment may take a little longer. Your technologist will guide you through the process and ensure everything moves as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Some people feel mild discomfort during a mammogram, as the breast is briefly compressed to capture a clear image. While the pressure can be uncomfortable, it should not be painful, and it does not cause harm to the breast.

Let your technologist know if you’re feeling any discomfort, they’re there to help you feel at ease and will position you with care and efficiency. If you menstruate, consider scheduling your mammogram for about a week after your period begins, when breasts tend to be less sensitive.

The momentary discomfort is brief, and the benefits of early detection can be lifesaving.

In California, most health insurance plans are required by law to cover screening mammograms, including 3D mammography, at no out-of-pocket cost to you. This means no copay, no deductible, and no coinsurance for annual screenings beginning at age 40, even if you’re considered average risk.

If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may qualify for free screening and diagnostic services through the state’s Every Woman Counts (EWC) program, which supports access to care for low-income and underserved individuals.

If a mammogram is needed to evaluate a symptom or follow up on an abnormal result, it may be classified as diagnostic, and standard insurance cost-sharing may apply, including copays or deductibles.

At Santa Barbara Women’s Imaging Center, we’re committed to making care accessible. We offer clear cash-pay pricing options and are happy to review them with you before your appointment. Our team is here to help you understand your benefits and choose the best path forward with clarity and confidence.

A DEXA scan (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is a fast, safe, and painless test that measures bone density, typically at the spine, hip, or wrist. It’s the most accurate tool for evaluating bone health and identifying risk for conditions like osteoporosis. At SBWIC, we use DEXA to detect bone loss early, monitor changes over time, and guide your provider in developing a personalized prevention or treatment plan.

Several factors can increase your risk for low bone density or osteoporosis. These include being over age 50, early menopause, a family history of osteoporosis or fractures, low body weight, and certain medications or chronic conditions. Lifestyle factors such as limited physical activity, smoking, and low calcium or vitamin D intake may also contribute. Knowing your risk can help you take proactive steps to protect your bone health.

The good news is that low bone density is both treatable and manageable. Depending on your DEXA results, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as weight-bearing exercise, improved nutrition, vitamin D and calcium supplementation, or prescription medications. Regular follow-up with DEXA testing helps monitor progress and ensure your care plan is working effectively.

If you have breast implants, whether for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, we offer a full range of advanced imaging options tailored to your needs. Our radiologists are specially trained to evaluate implant integrity and surrounding breast tissue using mammography, 3D tomosynthesis, ultrasound, and high-resolution non-contrast breast MRI for implant surveillance. Each exam is performed with care and precision in a comfortable, private environment.

At SBWIC, we offer three image-guided breast biopsy procedures—each designed to provide accurate answers with minimal discomfort:

• Stereotactic Biopsy uses 3D mammography to guide the needle to areas seen only on mammograms.
• Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy allows real-time visualization for masses seen on ultrasound.
• MRI-Guided Biopsy is used for findings visible only on MRI scans.

Your referring provider and our radiology team will determine which method is best for you based on your imaging and clinical history.

At SBWIC, your safety is always our priority. We use the lowest radiation dose necessary to obtain high-quality images, and we follow all state and federal safety regulations. Most imaging exams, including mammography and DEXA, involve very small amounts of radiation comparable to or even less than natural background exposure. If you ever have concerns, our team is happy to explain the benefits and risks of any recommended exam, so you can make an informed choice with confidence.