On April 30, 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released updated screening mammogram recommendations for women at average risk of developing breast cancer. The new recommendations differ from their previous recommendation and aligns more closely with screening recommendations from other leading health organizations — a step in the right direction.
Comprised of volunteer subject matter experts and practicing clinicians, the USPSTF reviews the latest in evidence-based medicine and research to make recommendations on public health guidance. Here’s what you need to know.
1. What the 2024 USPSTF Recommendations Say
The USPSTF recommends screening mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing every other year to age 74 for women with an average risk of developing breast cancer. The USPSTF states there isn’t enough evidence to make recommendations related to screening mammograms for women age 75 or older. Additionally, the recommendations include a call for more research on breast health disparities among minority women, the benefits of breast cancer screenings for women 75+, and the benefits of supplemental screening specifically for women with dense breast tissue.
2. How USPSTF Mammogram Guidance Has Changed
USPSTF last issued guidance about screening mammograms in 2016. At that time, they recommended screening mammograms for women at average risk for breast cancer every other year beginning at age 50. The USPSTF guidelines also recommended that women ages 40 to 49 talk with their providers about their breast cancer risk. In their latest draft guidance, the lowering of the starting age to 40 is now more consistent with the growing body of clinical evidence supporting the benefits of screening earlier.
3. Aligning With Other Recommendations
The 2024 recommendations also bring USPSTF closer to guidelines from other organizations that recommend screening mammograms begin at 40 for women with an average risk for breast cancer. These organizations include:
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
- The American College of Radiology (ACR)
- The American Medical Association (AMA)
- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)
- The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI)
- American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBrS)
These organizations all recommend annual screening mammograms instead of screening every other year, as recommended by USPSTF. Clinical evidence supports annual screening mammograms have lowered the number of breast cancer deaths in women by 40% compared with less frequent screenings.
4. Recommendations From Experts at Radiology Ltd. Remain the Same
Radiology Ltd. continues to follow the recommendations of the ACR and other breast health expert guidelines. We continue to recommend annual screening mammograms starting at 40 for women of average risk for breast cancer as the standard of care because:
- 1 in 6 breast cancers are diagnosed in women ages 40 to 49.
- 3D screening mammograms can detect cancer up to three years before you can feel a lump.
- A mammogram at age 40 provides a baseline that can help identify subtle changes earlier that may suggest a developing cancer.
- Breast density — an independent risk factor for breast cancer — can only be measured through mammography.
- Breast cancer detected at stage 0 or stage 1 has a five-year survival rate of nearly 100%.
- Early detection often means less need for aggressive treatment.