Screening for Breast Cancer in Average-Risk Women
Based on guidelines from the American College of Physicians.
Prevention
In average-risk women aged 40 to 49 years, clinicians should discuss whether to screen for breast cancer with mammography before age 50 years. Discussion should include the potential benefits and harms and a woman's preferences. The potential harms outweigh the benefits in most women aged 40 to 49 years.
In average-risk women aged 50 to 74 years, clinicians should offer screening for breast cancer with biennial mammography.
In average-risk women aged 75 years or older or in women with a life expectancy of 10 years or less, clinicians should discontinue screening for breast cancer.
In average-risk women of all ages, clinicians should not use clinical breast examination to screen for breast cancer.
How strong is the ACP's recommendation?
