Schedule time each year with your doctor for a breast cancer screening and discuss how often a mammogram is needed. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that most women who are at average risk and are 50 – 74 years old get one every 2 years. USPSTF recommendations state that women with a parent, sibling, or child with breast cancer are at a higher risk and may benefit from beginning mammograms in their 40s. If you’re 40 years or older, talk with your doctor about when to start regular mammograms.
There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Keep a healthy weight
- Be physically active regularly
- Don’t drink alcohol or limit it to no more than one drink per day
If you are concerned that you cannot afford to have a mammogram or do not have insurance, you may qualify for a free or low-cost mammogram through CDC’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
To learn more about breast cancer, visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/.
