Keep up with the latest breast care recommendations

Sponsored and provided by LifeBridge Health

Whether you've never had a mammogram before or you've been regularly screened for years, LifeBridge Health is here to help you stay connected with the latest guidelines in breast health.

When to start annual screenings
Those who receive regular breast cancer screenings are more likely to benefit from early detection and more likely to be cured of breast cancer should it be detected. The benefits of mammogram screenings speak for themselves, but knowing when it's time to start getting annual mammograms is half the battle. 

We recommend the following:

• Women older than 25 should undergo formal risk assessment for breast cancer
• Women with average risk of breast cancer should begin annual screenings at age 40
• Women with higher-than-average risk of breast of cancer undergo yearly screening mammography and be offered yearly supplemental imaging; this screening should be initiated at a risk-based age.

Risk factors
Risk plays a major role in determining how often you should undergo mammogram screening and we highly recommend discussing risk factors with your provider. Risk factors include but are not limited to height, weight, start of menstrual cycle, onset of menopause, breast density and family history of breast cancer.

Self-examinations
Dona Hobart, M.D., breast surgeon and medical director of the Center for Breast Health at Carroll Hospital, also recommends performing regular self-exams. Look for changes in the breast, such as the appearance of the nipple or the feeling of a lump and be sure to contact your provider right away should you find anything unusual.

Guidance for transgender and non-binary people
People of all genders can be affected by breast cancer and we strongly recommend that transmasculine, transfeminine and gender non-conforming individuals consult their provider about breast cancer risk and screening guidance. Some recent recommendations from The Journal of the American College of Radiology suggest annual mammogram screenings for:

• Transfeminine people ages 40 and up with five or more years of gender-affirming hormone use
• Transmasculine people ages 40 and up who have had breast reduction surgery or no chest surgery

Appointment scheduling
Make your breast health a priority and schedule a mammogram today. Taking this simple step can make a world of difference. Schedule an appointment with LifeBridge Health at one of our Breast Care Centers.

Originally published November 2023