Earlier Breast Cancer Screening

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 9, 2023 – The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Task Force) today posted a draft recommendation statement on screening for breast cancer. The Task Force now recommends that all women get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40.  


This change could result in 19% more lives being saved. “New and more inclusive science about breast cancer in people younger than 50 has enabled us to expand our prior recommendation and encourage all women to get screened every other year starting at age 40,” says Task Force immediate past chair Carol Mangione, M.D., M.S.P.


More research is needed on whether or not women with dense breasts should have additional screening with breast ultrasound or MRI, and on the benefits and harms of screening in women older than 75. 


Breast cancer is the second most common cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death for women in the United States. Black women are 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than White women and too often get deadly cancers at younger ages. Equitable follow-up after screening and timely and effective treatment of breast cancer “are urgently called for” to address the health disparities faced by Black, Hispanic, Latina, Asian, Native American, and Alaska Native women.


For more information go to: uspreventativeservicestaskforce.com