Breast Cancer and Early Detection: What Women Need to Know
Getting regular screenings is the most reliable way to find breast cancer early. When breast cancer is found early, and has not yet spread, it’s easier to treat successfully.
The goal of screening tests for breast cancer is to find it before it causes symptoms (like a lump that can be felt). Screening for breast cancer can lead to early detection of the disease. Early detection means finding and diagnosing a disease earlier than if you’d waited for symptoms to start.
The United States Preventive Service Task Force (USPSTF) recommends:
- Women age less than 40: consult with your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer. There is no recommendation from USPSTF for routine breast cancer screening mammograms under the age of 50.
- Women age 40-49: consult with your doctor about your personal risk of breast cancer. Women in this age group may want to get screening mammography, but this is a personal decision. There is no recommendation from USPSTF for routine breast cancer screening mammograms under the age of 50.
- Women age 50-74: should receive screening mammography every 2 years.
- Women age 75 and older: consult with your doctor about the need for routine screening mammograms. There is no recommendation from USPSTF for routine breast cancer screening mammograms from age 75 and older.
Your circumstances may be different so, as always, ask your doctor how often you should receive a mammogram for breast cancer screening.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that allows radiologists to look for changes in breast tissue. A mammogram can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop.
What can you do today?
Service Benefit Plan members can access a wide range of preventive care services—at no cost—when seeing a Preferred provider. Speak to your primary care doctor about what types of preventive care services are recommended for you.
