Recently in the news there have been many reports about when to have a mammogram.  The articles and links presented on this page, tells you what various government agencies are saying on this topic.

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

When does the NCI recommend that women have screening mammograms?

• Women age 40 and older should have mammograms every 1 to 2 years.
• Women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer should talk with their health care providers about whether to have mammograms before age 40 and how often to have them.

National Consumer League

Who should have a mammogram?

Medical and health professionals agree every woman starting at age 40 should have a mammogram taken on a regular basis, usually every one or two years. If you have a family history of breast cancer, your physician may suggest that you begin having annual mammograms taken at an earlier age.

Federal Drug Administration (FDA)

Mammograms are the best tools we have to detect breast cancer early.

• Mammograms may detect lumps before you or your doctor can feel them.
• Women over age 40 should get a mammogram every 1-2 years.
• Every woman should talk to a doctor about her risk for breast cancer.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Most medical experts agree that women who have no previous breast symptoms or problems should begin getting mammograms at age 40. (They no longer recommend getting a baseline mammogram at age 35.) Experts’ opinions vary on how often women should get mammograms, but most recommend that a woman get a mammogram every one or two years. Talk to your doctor if you have any breast symptoms or a family history of breast cancer. You may need to get tested earlier or more frequently.

Women 50 years and older should get a mammogram every 2 years.  Women who have had breast cancer or other breast problems or who have a family history of breast cancer might need to start getting mammograms before age 40, or they might need to get them more often. Talk to your doctor about when to start and how often you should have a mammogram

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Summary of Recommendations:

• The USPSTF recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years.
• The decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography before the age of 50 years should be an individual one and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms.
• The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years or older. 
• The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of clinical breast examination (CBE) beyond screening mammography in women 40 years or older.
• The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of either digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of film mammography as screening modalities for breast cancer.

  On December 4, 2009, the USPSTF unanimously voted to update the language of their recommendation regarding women under 50 years of age to clarify their original and continued intent.

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