Cancer screening guidelines for Breast Cancer

  • For Women ages 40 to 44: should have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms (x-rays of the breast) if they wish to do so.
  • Women age 45 to 54: should get mammograms every year.
  • Women 55 and older should switch to mammograms every 2 years, or can continue yearly screening.
  • Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and is expected to live 10 more years or longer.
  • All women should be familiar with the known benefits, limitations, and potential harms linked to breast cancer screening.
  • Breast Self Examination: All women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast changes to a health care provider right away.
  • MRI and Mammogram: Some women – because of their family history of breast or ovarian cancer due to a genetic mutation or certain other factors – should be screened with MRIs along with mammograms. (The number of women who fall into this category is very small.)
  • Talk with our Oncologists panel about your risk for breast cancer and the best screening plan for you