The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its breast cancer screening guidelines in 2024. The key recommendations are:
- Age to Start Screening: Women at average risk should start getting mammograms at age 40.
- Frequency of Screening: Screenings should be done every two years from ages 40 to 74 (Breastcancer.org) (Yale Medicine) (Breast Cancer Research Foundation).
The American Cancer Society (ACS) also supports these guidelines but adds that women aged 45 to 54 should get annual mammograms, and women 55 and older can switch to biennial screenings or continue annually based on their health and personal preference (American Cancer Society MediaRoom).
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer can present with various symptoms, including:
- A lump or mass in the breast
- Swelling of part or all of the breast
- Skin irritation or dimpling
- Breast or nipple pain
- Nipple retraction (turning inward)
- Redness, scaliness, or thickening of the nipple or breast skin
- Nipple discharge other than breast milk
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than breast cancer. Therefore, any unusual changes should be evaluated by a healthcare provider (Breast Cancer Research Foundation).
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