What you should know about the newly proposed breast cancer screening guidelines

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently drafted a recommendation lowering the age for when women should begin getting screened for breast cancer. The proposed recommendation lowers the age from 50 to age 40 to reduce their risk of dying from the disease.

Below, Daniel Herron, MD, director of women’s imaging for Dignity Health Advanced Imaging discusses the change with KCRA-TV. 

Dr. Herron recommends women who are ages 40 and above get screened every year. “Breast cancer is treatable when caught early,” says Dr. Herron. “Women who choose regular screening can lower their risk of dying from breast cancer by about 50%.”

The American College of Radiology, The Society of Breast Imaging, The American Society of Breast Surgeons, along with The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology all recommend annual screening beginning at age 40. 

Breast cancer is occurring in people at younger ages

• One in four of breast cancers in white women occur before age 50.
• One in three breast cancer diagnoses occur in Asian, Hispanic, and Black women before age 50.
• Breast cancer rates peak for Asian, Hispanic and Black women in their 40s.

For some women with breast cancer in their family history, it may be beneficial to discuss starting screenings earlier than age 40. It’s important to remember that getting regular screenings can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 50%. Get your mammogram to know your risk and catch breast cancer while it’s curable.