USPSTF Recommends Women in Their 40s Get Screened for Breast Cancer Every Other Year

A new recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force encourages women to get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40. This is earlier than the previous recommendation of biennial screenings starting at age 50, which was issued in 2016.

Dr. Carol Mangione, immediate past chair of the task force, said in a press release that the new and more inclusive science about breast cancer in people younger than 50 has enabled them to expand their prior recommendation.

The rate of breast cancer among women ages 40 to 49 increased 2% per year, on average, from 2015 to 2019, according to the National Cancer Institute. This new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying due to breast cancer.

The task force also noted that women in their 40s should talk to their doctor about getting screened, particularly if they have a family history of breast cancer. This is in contrast to the previous recommendation, which was for women in their 40s to make an individual decision about screenings based on their health history.

The new recommendation is an important step in helping to reduce the rate of breast cancer among women in their 40s. It is important that women take the time to talk to their doctor about their health history and make an informed decision about when to get screened.