Deciding when to begin your screening for breast cancer can be a daunting choice for many women. Perhaps you have a family history of breast cancer that makes you question your individual risk. Or, maybe you have a close friend diagnosed with breast cancer - instilling fear and anxiety.  Often times women are unsure at what age they should begin screening mammography and how often it should be done.

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This topic has not gotten easier.  In recent years changing recommendations from various entities have made the discussion between medical providers and patients a bit complicated.  The United States Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended screening mammograph begin at age 45.  Further, they offer that patients over the age of 50 be screened every other year. Its important to recognize that these recommendations are supposed to be directed at "average risk women."  Family history and other risk factors must be considered when discussing your options.

 

These changing recommendations have raised alarm and concern in the field of breast health and oncologic care.  Many feel the 6% of breast cancers which occur between the ages of 40-45, are typically more aggressive and that by not screening this group of women, lives will be lost.  

 

Many organizations continue to recommend screening at age 40- American College of Radiology, the Society of Breast Imagers and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and " Myself"to name a few! 

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One often cited rationale for the recommendations away from annual screening mammography is the anxiety created from false positive test results. I would offer that this may be overstated.  The short-term anxiety women experience when returning for additional imaging from an inconclusive screening mammogram does not go unrecognized. However, this anxiety has been shown to have no long-term effects and does not outweigh the thousands of lives saved each year by annual screening mammography.

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