What is the recommended approach for screening women with average breast cancer risk?

The recommended approach for screening women with average breast cancer risk includes biennial mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This guideline aligns with recommendations from major health organizations, which emphasize that regular mammography can help detect breast cancer early in women of average risk, ultimately improving outcomes.

Mammograms are effective in identifying breast cancer before it becomes symptomatic, allowing for earlier intervention when the disease is more treatable. Biennial screening every two years strikes a balance between the benefits of early detection and the potential risks associated with overdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures in younger populations.

In contrast, starting annual mammograms at age 30 may expose younger women to unnecessary radiation and possible false positive results, given that the risk of breast cancer increases significantly with age. Monthly breast self-exams have been shown not to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality and can lead to anxiety and unnecessary medical evaluations. Lastly, stating that no screening is necessary would fail to acknowledge the importance of regular screening in detecting early-stage breast cancer in women at average risk.