Scheduling a Mammogram

The breast self examination and a periodic clinical breast exam by a health care provider are critical elements to your breast health. The third and final prong to assist in early detection is a routine mammogram screening.

The American Cancer Society recommends the following screening guidelines for early detection of cancer in women who have no symptoms:

• Annual mammograms starting at age 40. The age which screening should be stopped is considered on an individual basis according to potential risks and benefits of screening based on a woman's individual overall health status.
• A clinical breast exam should be part of a regularly scheduled health examination about every three years in a woman's twenties and thirties and every year for a woman in her forties and older.
• Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any breast change right away to their health care provider. Breast self-exam is an option for women beginning in their twenties.
• Women who are at an increased risk (family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their physicians about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests breast ultrasound, MRI), or having more frequent exams.