Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

New evidence-based patient-facing breast cancer guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) call for annual mammograms for all average-risk women over the age of 40 years. This simplifies the message, says the NCCN.
Read the NCCN article

Elizabeth Wende Breast Care follows the American College of Radiology/Society of Breast Imaging (ACR/SBI) breast cancer screening guidelines highlighting the importance of annual screening for all women.

You may have heard of a different recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which in 2024 updated its guidance to recommend biennial (every-other-year) mammograms for women ages 40 to 74. We want to explain why EWBC’s recommendation differs.

The USPSTF, ACR/SBI, NCCN, and other leading organizations all agree that starting screening at age 40 saves the most lives. Where they differ is on frequency. The USPSTF’s guidance is intentionally conservative, designed as a minimum baseline for population-wide insurance coverage policy. The ACR, SBI, NCCN, and the American Cancer Society all recommend annual screening because the evidence shows it detects cancers earlier, when they are smaller and more treatable, and saves more lives than screening every other year. EWBC follows this annual recommendation because our priority is catching breast cancer at its earliest, most curable stage.
If you have questions about which schedule is right for you, please talk with your provider or contact our office.

Highlights

Starting screening at 40 for all women
The benefit of a risk assessment by 30
Addressing underserved and overlooked populations, including transgender people and minority women

Breast Self-Awareness

Learn to identify possible changes in your breasts
Continue yearly check-ups & clinical breast exams by healthcare providers

Average Risk Women

All women should have a discussion with their primary care physician regarding their breast cancer risk by age 30
Yearly screening mammograms starting at age 40
Every year thereafter as long as in reasonably good health

High-Risk Women

Women with a strong family history of breast cancer or genetic mutation may benefit from starting screening earlier than age 40
Consult your physician about when to start mammography & if any additional imaging is needed, such as a high-risk breast MRI

Women aged 75 and Older

No upper age limit if you are in reasonably good health
Cancer screening may still be valuable for older individuals (By Amerigo Allegretto, AuntMinnie.com staff writer, Dr. Destounis quoted)

Insurance Coverage Update for 2026

Starting with plan years beginning on or after December 30, 2025, most non-grandfathered health plans are required to cover additional breast imaging — such as ultrasound or MRI — without any cost-sharing (no deductible, copay, or coinsurance) when needed to complete your screening after an initial mammogram. Plans must also now provide patient navigation services at no cost, helping patients navigate scheduling, referrals, and follow-up care after breast or cervical cancer screening.

Coverage details can vary by plan (self-funded and grandfathered plans may be exempt), so we recommend confirming your specific benefits with your insurance provider. If you have billing questions, our Frequently Asked Billing Questions page and billing team are also available to help.