Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Average Risk

Publication Date: October 1, 2015
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Women with an average risk of breast cancer should undergo regular screening mammography starting at age 45 years. (Strong)
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Women aged 45 to 54 years should be screened annually. (Qualified)
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Women 55 years and older should transition to biennial screening or have the opportunity to continue screening annually. (Qualified)
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Women should have the opportunity to begin annual screening between the ages of 40 and 44 years. (Qualified)
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Women should continue screening mammography as long as their overall health is good and they have a life expectancy of 10 years or longer. (Qualified)
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The ACS does not recommend clinical breast examination for breast cancer screening among average-risk women at any age. (Qualified)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Average Risk

Authoring Organization

American Cancer Society

Publication Month/Year

October 1, 2015

Last Updated Month/Year

January 10, 2024

Supplemental Implementation Tools

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

 To update the American Cancer Society (ACS) 2003 breast cancer screening guideline for women at average risk for breast cancer.

Target Patient Population

Women with average risk for breast cancer

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Outpatient

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Assessment and screening

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D001941 - Breast Diseases, D001943 - Breast Neoplasms, D000076862 - Diagnostic Screening Programs, D000570 - American Cancer Society

Keywords

breast cancer, screening, cancer screening, Breast Cancer

Source Citation

JAMA. 2015;314(15):1599-1614. doi:10.1001/jama.2015.12783