Women are now advised to get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40 and until age 74, according to new recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force. The USPSTF, a volunteer panel of independent medical experts, previously recommended biennial mammograms starting at age 50. However, the new guidelines emphasize starting at age 40 for all individuals assigned female at birth, including cisgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary people at average risk of breast cancer.
The updated recommendations aim to reduce breast cancer deaths by diagnosing cases early before the cancer spreads. Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the US and the second-leading cause of cancer death. The USPSTF found no evidence to support annual screening over biennial screening, citing a more favorable balance of benefits and harms with the latter.
