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Breast Imaging Groups Recommend Mammograms at Age 40

Mammograms (X-ray images of the breasts) are commonly used to screen women for breast cancer. The goal of screening mammography is to reduce breast cancer mortality by detecting breast cancer at an early stage.

The age at which mammographic screening should begin has recently been a subject of debate. The American Cancer Society continues to recommend that women at average risk of breast cancer begin mammographic screening at the age of 40.[1]

Two other groups that have recently added their voices to the discussion are the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging.[2] These groups continue to recommend that women at average risk of breast cancer begin annual mammographic screening at the age of 40. The groups also note that women at high risk of breast cancer, such as those with certain BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, should begin screening at an earlier age, and should be screened with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to mammography.

References:
[1] American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society responds to changes to USPSTF mammography guidelines. Available at:http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_2_1x_American_Cancer_Society
_Responds_to_Changes_to_USPSTF_Mammography_Guidelines.asp?sitearea=MEDM
[2] Lee CH, Dershaw D, Kopans D et al. Breast cancer screening with imaging: recommendations from the Society of Breast Imaging and the ACR on the use of mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, and other technologies for the detection of clinically occult breast cancer. Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2010;7:18-27.