Breast Cancer Screening for Women at Average Risk

The purpose of this review is to examine the most recent data and guidelines regarding screening for breast cancer in average risk women. The differing recommendations for screening reflect differences in value judgements between the benefits (decreased cancer-related death and morbidity) and the harms (potential for overdiagnosis, false positives, false negatives, anxiety, and cost of care) of breast cancer screening. There are multiple organizations with recommendations for breast cancer screening in women at average risk. All organizations recommend mammography to screen for breast cancer but differ in the age at which to initiate mammograms, screening interval, and the age at which to stop screening. The final decision regarding breast cancer screening should be individualized based on the patient’s needs and values and include shared decision-making.