Women with an average risk of breast cancer are generally recommended to start getting mammograms at age 40. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises mammogram screening every other year beginning at age 40, and this recommendation is supported by multiple medical experts and institutions, including Mayo Clinic and University of Chicago Medicine. Women at higher risk, such as those with genetic mutations or a strong family history of breast cancer, may need to start screening earlier, sometimes as young as age 25. In such cases, a breast cancer risk assessment with a healthcare provider is strongly advised to determine the appropriate timing and type of screening. Additionally, while mammograms can begin at age 40 for most women, some guidelines recommend annual screening between ages 40 to 49, and the frequency or starting age may vary per individual risk factors and physician advice. For women under age 40 without high risk, routine mammograms are generally not recommended due to lower incidence rates and higher false positives. In summary:
- Average risk: start mammograms at age 40, every 1-2 years.
- High risk: may start as early as 25 after risk evaluation.
- Under 40 without high risk: routine mammograms not generally recommended.
This age guideline balances early detection benefits with minimizing unnecessary testing or anxiety.
