Mammogram Screening Guidelines: What Every Woman Should Know

Medically reviewed by Darius R. Gilvydis, MD

Taking care of your health means staying proactive, and one of the most effective tools for protecting women’s health is a mammogram. This imaging test can detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, often before any symptoms appear. Still, many women wonder: What are the current mammogram screening guidelines? When should I start? How often do I need one? And why is it so important?

Why Mammograms Are So Important

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., after skin cancer. The numbers may sound daunting—about 1 in 8 women will face a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime—but early detection changes everything.

• According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is about 99% when found early.
• Mammograms can reveal changes in breast tissue up to two years before a lump can be felt.

“Regular mammograms are one of the most effective ways to defend against breast cancer. Early detection allows us to address it before it becomes more serious,” says Regional Medical Imaging Radiologist Darius Gilvydis, M.D.

Simply put: routine screening saves lives.

Current Mammogram Screening Guidelines

Mammogram screening guidelines vary slightly depending on the medical organization, but here’s what the American College of Radiology recommends:

• Annual mammogram screening for women 40 or older.
• For women who have additional risk factors like family history of breast cancer, more comprehensive screenings like a breast MRI is recommended.
• For women who have issues with breast density, an ultrasound or contrast enhanced mammography should be considered.

Average vs. High Risk: What’s the Difference?

You may be considered average risk if you don’t have a strong family history, genetic mutations (like BRCA1/BRCA2), or other significant risk factors. However, most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history at all. That’s why universal screening recommendations matter—because breast cancer can happen to anyone.

Steps to Protect Your Breast Health

• Understand your risk factors. Talk with your provider about your family history and lifestyle.
• Follow screening guidelines. Start your mammograms at 40 and don’t skip your annual screening.
• Be consistent. Don’t wait until symptoms appear—prevention is most effective with routine care.

Time to Schedule Your Mammogram

If it’s been more than a year since your last screening—or if you’ve never had one—now is the perfect time to take action. A simple appointment could make all the difference in your future health.

Schedule your mammogram today at Regional Medical Imaging and give yourself peace of mind.