Breast Cancer Screening: Who, When, and How?

In 2002, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended screening mammography every 1 to 2 years for all women 40 or older. In a 2009 update, the task force has revised its guidelines based on: 1) a systematic review of the benefits and harms of screening; and 2) statistical modeling to estimate outcomes associated with annual versus biennial screening that begins and ends at different ages.

The USPSTF now recommends against routine screening of younger women (age range, 40–49). Decisions about screening women younger than 50 should be individualized. C recommendation (The USPSTF recommends against routinely providing the service; the grading system can be accessed on the USPSTF website.) The task force recommends biennial scre…