Why You Should Start Mammograms at Age 40: Inside the Screening Guidelines
October 20, 2023 | Tags:
A mammogram is an important tool in the fight against breast cancer because it can detect early signs of the disease — and early detection is key to effective treatment. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends women age 40 and older get mammograms every other year to reduce the risk of dying from the disease.
Dr. Dwight McFadden, Assistant Medical Director at Medical Mutual shares insight into the recommendation and the importance of getting a mammogram.
New Data and Guidelines Save Lives
In May 2023, USPSTF updated its guidelines, recommending that women age 40 and older get a mammogram every other year. The previous recommendation was that women began receiving mammograms at age 50.
“We have seen the incidence of breast cancer in younger women increase in recent years,” Dr. McFadden said. “As the rates have increased, it makes sense to screen younger women for breast cancer.”
The Importance of Early Detection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 9% of new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in women who are younger than age 45.
“Early diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment. Cancer is more difficult to treat when it has more time to spread to other parts of the body,” Dr. McFadden said. “By starting mammograms at age 40, providers can diagnose cancer earlier and improve the likelihood of effective treatment.”
Make an Appointment or Talk to Your Loved Ones About Mammogram Screenings
Most preventive care, like breast cancer screenings, is covered by your Medical Mutual health plan. Call your provider to schedule an appointment. If you need help finding a provider covered by your Medical Mutual health plan, log in to My Health Plan and use our Find a Provider tool.