Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American women, other than skin cancer. Approximately one in eight women will experience this disease in their lifetime and the best defense against breast cancer is to find it early, when it is most treatable. That’s why screenings are so important.
The most common – and best – way to screen for breast cancer is to get routine mammograms. This non-invasive test may find breast cancer before a lump can be felt or any symptoms are experienced. The low-dose X-rays may also be able to detect changes in the breast that can develop into breast cancer in the future.
There are two types of mammograms currently available – 2D and 3D mammograms. Many doctors recommend that women get 3D mammograms since they can provide a clearer picture of breast tissue. This is especially important if you have dense breasts.
If you are considered to be at average risk for breast cancer – meaning that you don’t have a strong family history or a genetic mutation known to increase breast cancer risk (such as a BRCA gene), haven’t had breast cancer in the past or have not had radiation therapy to your chest before age 30 – the American Cancer Society recommends the following schedule for getting mammograms:
- Ages 40 – 44: It is up to you whether you want to begin getting mammograms every year (previous recommendations were that women start getting mammograms at age 40 but that has changed).
- Ages 45 to 54: Get a mammogram every year.
- Ages 55 and older: If your previous mammograms have been clear, it is up to you whether you want to switch to getting mammograms every other year (or you can continue to get them yearly). Continue getting mammograms as long as you are expected to live at least 10 more years.
If you are considered to be at high risk for breast cancer, it may be recommended that you get an annual mammogram starting at age 30 or an age determined based on other factors. Women at high risk may have a known BRCA gene mutation (or a first-degree relative with the gene mutation), a strong family history of breast cancer, a personal history of breast cancer or a history of having radiation therapy to the chest prior to age 30.
Women at high risk for breast cancer may also need an annual breast MRI. If your doctor recommends that you have a breast MRI, it should be done in addition to a mammogram, not in place of one. Mammograms are still considered the gold standard of breast cancer screening.
Breast self-exams, as well as breast exams done by a healthcare professional (clinical breast exams), are not considered to be effective screening tools for breast cancer on their own. You should be familiar with how your breasts look and feel and report any changes to your doctor, but the best way to screen for breast cancer is to get mammograms according to recommended guidelines based on your age and risk status.
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Date Last Reviewed: August 15, 2024
Editorial Review: Andrea Cohen, Editorial Director, Baldwin Publishing, Inc. Contact Editor
Medical Review: Perry Pitkow, MD
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