How to Breast Cancer: Mammograms, Screening Age & What Women Need to Know
- Dr Natalie Hutchins
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
Episode Introduction
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood by women.
From confusion around screening guidelines, mammograms, and breast density, to polarised messaging about lifestyle, nutrition, fasting, and so-called “alternative” cancer cures, many women are left unsure who, or what, to trust.
In this episode of The Women’s Handbook Podcast: How to Be a Woman, Dr Natalie Hutchins is joined by Dr Steven Tucker, a UCLA-trained medical oncologist with a deep interest in lifestyle medicine, metabolic health, digital health, and cancer prevention.
Together, they unpack what breast cancer risk actually means, how screening should be personalised rather than fear-driven, and where lifestyle, nutrition, fasting, and newer therapies genuinely fit, without abandoning evidence-based medicine.
This is a grounded, nuanced, and clinically honest conversation designed to cut through misinformation and empower women with clarity.
Guest Bio
Dr Steven Tucker is a UCLA-trained medical oncologist based in Singapore. He specialises in breast cancer, survivorship care, and risk-adapted prevention strategies, with a strong focus on metabolic health, nutrition, digital health, and personalised medicine.
Dr Tucker works daily with women across the full cancer spectrum, from prevention and early diagnosis to treatment and long-term survivorship, integrating evidence-based oncology with lifestyle and metabolic interventions where appropriate.
What we cover in this episode
00:00 – Why breast cancer still creates so much confusion
• Rising incidence vs falling mortality• Why misinformation spreads so easily in women’s health
04:00 – Breast cancer in younger women
• Why diagnoses under 40 are increasing• How common it actually is• Differences in tumour biology in younger women
06:20 – Breast cancer is not one disease
• Hormone-positive, HER2-positive, triple-negative explained• Why subtype matters more than age• How aggressive cancers can sometimes respond best to treatment
09:00 – Modern breast cancer treatment has changed
• Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapies• What “pathological complete response” means• Why outcomes are improving
14:40 – Metabolism, nutrition & cancer: separating science from hype
• The metabolic theory of cancer• Keto diets, fasting, and glucose dependence• Why nutrition is supportive — not curative
20:30 – Fasting during chemotherapy: what the evidence actually shows
• Fasting-mimicking diets explained• When fasting may help — and when it is unsafe• Why this is not standard protocol (yet)
28:30 – GLP-1 medications & cancer recurrence
• Obesity, metabolic disease, and relapse risk• Why GLP-1s are now being studied post-breast cancer• Risk reduction vs “anti-cancer drugs”
42:30 – Risk-adapted screening: the missing conversation
• Family history vs genetics• Who really needs early or intensive screening• Why “one-size-fits-all” screening causes harm
50:00 – Mammograms: benefits, false positives & overdiagnosis
• What false positives actually mean• Overdiagnosis explained clearly• Why mammograms still save lives
01:17:00 – Do mammograms cause cancer?
• Radiation myths addressed• Thermography, QT scans & alternative imaging• Why these are not replacements for mammography
01:24:00 – Reducing breast cancer risk
• Exercise as the most powerful intervention• Alcohol, obesity, metabolic health• Why prevention goes far beyond screening
01:32:00 – Final reflections for women affected by breast cancer
• Survivorship, resilience, and long-term health• Framing risk without fear• Finding trustworthy information
What You Will Learn
What increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer?
At what age should women start breast cancer screening?
Are mammograms safe and effective?
What is a false positive mammogram?
What does breast density actually mean?
Does fasting or keto treat breast cancer?
Can lifestyle changes reduce breast cancer recurrence?
Do GLP-1 medications lower cancer risk?
Are alternative breast scans better than mammograms?
How can screening be personalised to individual risk?
Key Takeaways
Breast cancer screening works but it works best when it is adapted to your personal risk: personalised, evidence-based care is the future of women’s health
Mammograms save lives; but they also come with trade-offs: false positives, anxiety, and occasional overdiagnosis. This is why going into screening with your eyes open, knowing your individualised risk and choosing the right schedule and modality for you works best.
Lifestyle interventions support treatment but no diet, supplement, or fasting protocol cures breast cancer on its own. Be very cautious of anyone suggesting you abandon evidence-based care.
Further Resources
• Tyrer–Cuzick risk score
• NHS Breast Screening Programme (UK)https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/
• American Cancer Societyhttps://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer.html
• National Cancer Institute (US)https://www.cancer.gov/types/breast
• ASCO – American Society of Clinical Oncologyhttps://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer
• Breast Cancer Now (UK)https://breastcancernow.org
• Macmillan Cancer Supporthttps://www.macmillan.org.uk
• Breast Cancer Foundation Singaporehttps://www.bcf.org.sg
• World Cancer Research Fundhttps://www.wcrf.org
• NIH – Exercise & Cancer Outcomeshttps://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/physical-activity