Skip to content
cropped-Evansville-Surgical-Associates-Logo.gif
Patient Portal​
Pay My Bill
812-424-8231
  • Meet Our Surgeons
  • Specialties
  • Information for Patients
    • Information for Patients
    • Your First Visit
    • Articles
    • Community Resources
    • Patient Survey
  • Refer a Patient
  • About ESA
    • Awards
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Who We Are
    • COVID Response
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Careers
    • Locations
Menu
  • Meet Our Surgeons
  • Specialties
  • Information for Patients
    • Information for Patients
    • Your First Visit
    • Articles
    • Community Resources
    • Patient Survey
  • Refer a Patient
  • About ESA
    • Awards
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Who We Are
    • COVID Response
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Careers
    • Locations
Patient Portal​
Pay My Bill
812-424-8231

With Different Guidelines On When To Get Mammograms, Here’s How To Tell What’s Right For You

  • October 16, 2019
  •  by Alissa McMillan

For decades, the medical community has debated about exactly when and how often women should have mammograms to screen for breast cancer. What’s not up for debate, however, are two factors physicians and researchers know for sure:

  1. Mammograms are the single best way to detect breast cancer.
  2. Chances for survival rise dramatically the earlier breast cancer is detected.

Mammography screening technology has progressed substantially, and mammograms save countless lives by detecting breast cancer in the earliest, most treatable stages. Consider that before mammography screening became widespread in the 1980s, the rate of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. had not changed in 50 years. 

However, since mammogram technology began in the ‘80s, studies have shown that: 

  • The U.S. breast cancer death rate has dropped 43%.
  • Women have a 47% less risk of dying from breast cancer within 20 years of diagnosis if screened yearly compared to those who are not screened regularly. 

The equation then seems straight-forward: If mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer and early detection saves lives, why aren’t the guidelines for when to start having mammograms and how often to have screening clear cut for everyone? 

The short answer is that each patient’s health history varies, which impacts when and how often mammograms are recommended. It’s crucial, however, for every woman to have a clear understanding of when she should begin having mammograms, and how frequently she should schedule them.

Different Opinions?

Most recently, patients have been confused by guidelines published by the American College of Physicians (ACP) that recommend mammogram screenings for women begin at age 50 and continuing every two years until age 74. 

A baseline mammogram at 50 and screening every two years is a departure from the traditional guidelines recommending women begin getting mammograms at the age of 40 and every year thereafter. 

The ACP specifies that their new guidelines are only for women with average risk of breast cancer and with no symptoms, and are based on the theory that there’s a low incidence of breast cancer for women under age 60. 

However, according to the American Cancer Society, almost half of all breast cancers and the majority of in situ cancers occur in women under the age of 60. Also, for non-white women, the rate of breast cancer incidence peaks in the late forties, according to the American College of Radiology.

The ACP also claims that mammography screening every other year, rather than annually, has little significant difference in mortality rates from breast cancer. However, there have not yet been any randomized, controlled trials to test and verify this claim. 

However, a study published by the National Institute of Health shows nearly 40% fewer deaths in women age 40-84 who were screened annually compared to those screened bi-annually.

For these reasons and more, the American Cancer Society, the American Society of Breast Surgeons, The American College of Radiology, and the Society of Breast Imaging continue to recommend that women begin mammogram screening starting at age 40 and receive mammograms each year thereafter.

Recommended Mammogram Guidelines:

The breast surgeons at Evansville Surgical Associates adhere to the American Society of Breast Surgeons guidelines for breast cancer screening, including:

  • Women over age 25 should have a formal risk assessment for breast cancer by a breast physician or other qualified health provider by reviewing family history and overall health history.
  • Women with an average risk of breast cancer should start yearly mammography screening at age 40.
  • Women with a higher-than-average risk of breast cancer should have yearly mammography screening at an initial age determined based on risk, and be offered yearly supplemental imaging, such as MRI as recommended thereafter.
  • Screening mammography should continue yearly as long as life expectancy is more than 10 years.

If you are age 40 or older, please follow the recommendations to get a mammogram each year beginning at age 40. And if you have a family history of breast cancer, talk with your primary care physician or an Evansville Surgical Associates breast surgeon for recommendations about mammography depending on your age, your family history, and your overall health.

Breast Cancer Expertise

The surgeons and specially-trained staff at Evansville Surgical Associates treat all aspects of breast cancers as well as benign breast conditions at both the Deaconess Midtown and St. Vincent-Evansville Breast Centers. Our dedicated breast physicians include Dr. Joshua M. Aaron, Dr. Mallory S. Bray, Dr. Matthew S. Field, Dr. Kristi K. Peck, Dr. Brian W. Schymik  and Dr. W. Matthew Vassy.

With the most advanced breast health techniques and treatments in digital mammography, diagnostic ultrasound, breast MRIs, and stereotactic and ultrasound guided needle biopsy capabilities, our breast surgeons and navigators work closely with medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and plastic surgeons to ensure that each patient receives the best care possible.

Established in 1969, Evansville Surgical Associates celebrates 50 years of providing leading-edge comprehensive and compassionate surgical care. Learn more about our physicians and our practices by visiting our website, or by calling us at 812.424.8231 or 800.264.8231.

Share This Article

Related Articles

How Your Health Changes as You Get Older

How Your Health Changes as You Get Older

Your health will go through different changes as you get older. Some may be minor while others are more serious. You need to know what to expect so you can be prepared as well as

Read More »
Oncologists Evansville, IN

Am I at Risk for Breast Cancer and What Can Be Done About It?

The risk of developing breast cancer can vary from person to person. However, there are some common factors that can increase your risk and a few that might surprise you. But more important than knowing

Read More »
stroke treatment near me

How We Use TCAR To Prevent Stroke in Evansville, Indiana

People’s day-to-day activities have drastically changed to safeguard themselves from the pandemic virus, COVID-19. Still, there is one thing people should not avoid — delaying care for life-threatening conditions such as carotid artery disease, which

Read More »

Evansville Surgical Associates
520 Mary Street Suite 520 Evansville, IN 47710, USA
Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm


812-424-8231 | 800-264-8231 | fax 812-464-8352

Facebook
  • Employee Email
  • Disclaimer
  • HIPAA Statement
  • ACA Non-Discrimination Notice
  • Good Faith Estimate
  • Employee Email
  • Disclaimer
  • HIPAA Statement
  • ACA Non-Discrimination Notice
  • Good Faith Estimate
  • St. Vincent Campus

    801 St. Mary's Drive

    Suite 200 East
    Evansville, IN 47714

  • Get Directions
  • St. Vincent - Epworth Crossing

    100 St. Mary's Epworth

    Crossing #A200
    Newburgh, IN 47630

  • Get Directions
  • St. Vincent - Warrick

    1116 Millis Avenue

    Suite 405 West
    Boonville, IN 47601

  • Get Directions
  • Deaconess Campus

    520 Mary Street

    Suite 520
    Evansville, IN 47710

  • Get Directions
Copyright © 2022 · Evansville Surgical Associates