Breast Cancer: Start Screenings at Age 40

US task force now recommends regular mammograms starting at age 40 for women, addressing rising breast cancer cases among younger women.

Breast cancer cases are on the rise among younger women in the US, prompting a shift in guidelines for screening. The US Preventive Services Task Force now recommends regular mammograms starting at age 40, a change from previous guidelines that suggested screening every two years between ages 50 and 74. This update, detailed in the Journal of the American Medical Association, highlights the importance of screening every other year for women aged 40 to 74.

The announcement from the US Preventive Services Task Force solidifies a draft recommendation made last year, aligning with other medical groups like the American College of Radiology and the American Cancer Society. These groups recommend annual mammograms starting at age 40 or 45, creating consistency in screening guidelines. Breast cancer remains a significant concern, with approximately 240,000 cases diagnosed yearly and nearly 43,000 deaths among US women.

The push for earlier screening aims to address the rising incidence of breast cancer among women in their 40s and the higher death rate among Black women compared to White women. Studies suggest that earlier screening may benefit all women and have a more significant impact on Black women, who are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women.

For individuals at average risk, mammograms should start at age 40 and occur every other year, according to the new guidance. However, those with a history of breast cancer or genetic markers indicating high risk may require different screening protocols. The recommendations do not apply to women who received high-dose radiation therapy to the chest or those with dense breasts, for whom additional tests like ultrasounds or MRIs may be necessary.

The impact of these updated guidelines on insurance coverage is significant, with legislation already in place requiring insurers to cover mammograms for women 40 and older without copays or deductibles. The Affordable Care Act mandates coverage for task force recommendations with an "A" or "B" grade, with mammography receiving a "B" grade indicating moderate net benefit. As breast cancer remains a prevalent issue, these updated guidelines aim to improve early detection and reduce mortality rates among women in the US.