Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Average Risk

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2015 Guideline Update From the American Cancer Society

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What You Need to Know

In 2003, the American Cancer Society recommended annual mammography screening beginning at age 40 and continuing as long as a woman at average risk for breast cancer is in reasonably good health and is a candidate for treatment.

Now, the American Cancer Society offers the following qualified recommendations:

The 2015 Guideline recommends:

  • Women ages 40-44 can begin annual screening mammography
  • Women ages 45-54 should undergo annual screening mammography
  • Women ages 55 and older can transition to every-other-year screening OR continue annual screening mammography
  • Women should continue screening mammography as long as their overall health is good and they have a life expectancy of 10 years or longer
  • Women at any age should not rely on breast examination for breast cancer screening

All the recommendations apply to women at average risk, meaning those with no personal history of breast cancer, no genetic susceptibility to breast cancer, and no history of chest radiation treatment.

Guideline: Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Average Risk

Breast Cancer Screening Science From the JAMA Network

Overview

A Systematic Assessment of Benefits and Risks to Guide Breast Cancer Screening Decisions

Editorial: Breast Cancer Screening: Toward Informed Decisions

Decision Aids

Quantifying the Benefits and Harms of Screening Mammography

Development and Evaluation of a Decision Aid on Mammography Screening for Women 75 Years and Older

Screening Technologies

Computer-Aided Detection in Mammography: Downstream Effect on Diagnostic Testing, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Treatment, and Costs

Diagnostic Accuracy of Digital Screening Mammography With and Without Computer-Aided Detection

Invited Commentary: Is It Time to Stop Paying for Computer-Aided Mammography?

Breast Cancer Screening Using Tomosynthesis in Combination With Digital Mammography

Editorial: Breast Cancer Screening: Should Tomosynthesis Replace Digital Mammography?

Screening Effectiveness

Breast Cancer Screening, Incidence, and Mortality Across US Counties

Invited Commentary: Effect of Screening Mammography on Cancer Incidence and Mortality

Outcomes of Screening Mammography by Frequency, Breast Density, and Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy

Breast Cancer Mortality After a Diagnosis of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ

Editorial: Rethinking the Standard for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Treatment

The Cost of Breast Cancer Screening in the Medicare Population

Ethics and Policy

The Ethics of Incentivizing Mammography Screening

The Divide Between Breast Density Notification Laws and Evidence-Based Guidelines for Breast Cancer Screening: Legislating Practice

Patient Information

Breast Cancer Screening: Benefits and Harms

Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines in the United States

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