Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

We don’t know how to prevent breast cancer, but we do know how to find it early, when the chance for successful treatment is greatest. The American Cancer Society recommends the following guidelines for finding breast cancer early in women without symptoms:

Mammogram: Women age 40 and older should get a screening mammogram every year.

Clinical breast exam:

• Women in their 20s and 30s: clinical breast exam (CBE) as part of a regular exam by a health expert, at least every three years
• After age 40: breast exam by a health expert every year

Breast self-exam (BSE): BSE is an option for women, starting in their 20s. Women should be told about the benefits and limitations of BSE. Women should report any changes in how their breasts look or feel to a health expert right away.

Women at high risk: Women with a higher risk of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about the best screening plan for them. This might mean starting mammograms when they are younger, having extra screening tests (such as an MRI) or having exams more often.