Breast cancer screenings should begin at 40, not 50, new guidelines say

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released new guidance Tuesday advising that women begin receiving annual breast cancer screenings at age 40 instead of its previous recommendation of 50, citing updated science.

“All women are now encouraged to get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at age 40, thanks to new and more inclusive science about breast cancer in people younger than 50 that has enabled the Task Force to expand its prior recommendation,” the task force said in a statement.

The independent volunteer panel of physicians’ recommendation was Grade B, meaning the task force believes with high certainty this guidance has a “moderate to substantial” net benefit. This guidance is an update on the task force’s final recommendation in 2016 that advised women to individually decide in their 40s when to start getting screened.

The recommendation applies to all women and individuals assigned female at birth who have an average risk of breast cancer, which includes those who have a family history of breast cancer and other risk factors like dense breasts.

This guidance does not apply to individuals who have a personal history of breast cancer, are at very high risk due to certain genetic markers, have a history of high-dose radiation therapy to their chest at a young age or have had high-risk lesion on previous biopsies.

“New and more inclusive science about breast cancer in people younger than 50 has enabled us to expand our prior recommendation and encourage all women to get screened every other year starting at age 40,” former task force Chair Carol Mangione said in a statement.

In its announcement, the panel noted that Black women often get deadly cancers at younger ages and are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.

“Timely and effective treatment for breast cancer has the potential to save more lives for people experiencing disparities related to racism, lack of access to care in rural communities, low income, and other factors,” the organization stated.