New evidence-based breast cancer guidelines for patients from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) state that women should undergo a breast cancer risk assessment starting at the age of 25 years.
The NCCN guidelines, Breast Cancer Screening and Diagnosis, were published “to help people understand their personal risk for breast cancer when they should begin screening, and how often to screen — to detect cancer earlier, for more treatment options and better outcomes,” states NCCN “Regular screening and breast exams help find breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stages.”
- Having a mammogram at infrequent or irregular intervals limits its effectiveness
- Key is to know your risk
- For women at increased risk, the NCCN Guidelines recommend starting screening earlier and more frequently- may include breast MRI in addition to mammography
