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US Preventative Services Task Force Updates Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
By Amy Litterini, PT, DPT, Program Manger of Survivorship
Recently updated guidance from the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has lowered the recommended age for all women to begin breast cancer screening to 40. Prior to 2024, the USPSTF previously recommended screening begin between the ages of 40-50 as an individual decision with their clinician on when to start.
The summary of the new recommendations is in the table below. The grade B refers to the available evidence as providing a moderate net benefit. The recommendations are for persons assigned female at birth. The evidence grade of I, is insufficient to recommend routine screening for women age 75 or older, or for supplemental screening (i.e. breast ultrasound or MRI) for women with dense breasts.
Other national organizations, including the American College of Radiology and the American Cancer Society, recommend starting mammograms at age 40 or 45 annually rather than biennial (i.e. every other year) per the USPSTF.
These recommendations do not apply to breast cancer survivors, or those at very high risk of breast cancer due to genetic mutations. The recommendations also do not apply to women who had high-dose radiation therapy to the chest when they were young, or to women who’ve had a lesion on previous biopsies.
Please talk to your health care provider about your individual risk factors to determine the recommended screening schedule for you.
These recommendations not apply to breast cancer survivors, or those at very high risk of breast cancer due to genetic mutations. The recommendations also do not apply to women who had high-dose radiation therapy to the chest when they were young, or to women who’ve had a lesion on previous biopsies.
These recommendations not apply to breast cancer survivors, or those at very high risk of breast cancer due to genetic mutations. The recommendations also do not apply to women who had high-dose radiation therapy to the chest when they were young, or to women who’ve had a lesion on previous biopsies.
