The American Cancer Society recently released new guidelines for breast cancer screening based on new research that has helped doctors understand the best way to use mammograms for screening.
Keep in mind the Commission on Cancer: Cancer Program Standards (Version 2016) 4.2 for Cancer Screening requires following current national guidelines for cancer screening.
New Recommendations:
- Women with an average risk of breast cancer – most women – should begin yearly mammograms at age 45
- Women should be able to start the screening as early as age 40, if they want to. It’s a good idea to start talking to your health care provider at age 40 about when you should begin screening
- At age 55, women should have mammograms every other year – though women who want to keep having yearly mammograms should be able to do so
- Regular mammograms should continue for as long as a woman is in good health
- Breast exams, either from a medical provider, or self-exams, are no longer recommended
Women at high risk for breast cancer – because of family history, a breast condition, or another reason – need to begin screening earlier and/or more often and talk to your medical provider.
For more information about breast cancer screening call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org/breastcancer.