American Cancer Society recommendations for breast cancer screening

Bottom line

The American Cancer Society has released a 2015 update to its breast cancer screening guidelines for women at average risk. The new guidelines recommend against clinical breast exams and in favor of annual mammograms between ages 45 and 54 years, followed by biennial mammograms starting at age 55 years and ending when life expectancy is less than 10 years. These guidelines also allow for patient preference or clinical judgment to opt in for annual mammography from 40 to 44 years of age and to continue with annual screening beyond age 55.

References

1. Keating NL, Pace LE. New guidelines for breast cancer screening in U.S. women. JAMA. 2015;314(15)1658.

2. Kerlikowske K. Progress toward consensus on breast cancer screening guidelines and reducing screening harms. JAMA Intern Med. 2015 Oct 20. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.6466.

3. Oeffinger KC, Fontham ETH, Etzioni R, et al. Breast cancer screening for women at average risk. JAMA. 2015;314(15):1599-614. doi:10/1001/jama.2015.12783.

Dr. Skolnik is associate director of the family medicine residency program at Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital. Dr. Lyons is a third-year resident in the program.