Screening Guidelines

The Avon Foundation for Women responds to the USPSTF recommendations on biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. According the Task Force, the decision to start regular, biennial screenings before the age of 50 should be an individual one and take patient context into account.

The American Cancer Society recommends a three-pronged approach for early detection:

1)  Yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health.

2)  Clinical breast exam (CBE) about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s and every year for women 40 and over.

3)  Women should know how their breasts normally look and feel and report any breast change promptly to their health care provider. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.


Community Guide

The Community Guide to Preventive Services is based on a review of evidence-based interventions for increasing rates of breast cancer screening. The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends the use of client reminders, small media (i.e. videos, letters, newsletters, and brochures), one-on-one education, and strategies to remove structural barriers (such as providing transportation, interpretation services, child care, or flexible service hours), as well as linking women with free or low-cost screening services to reduce-out-of-pocket costs for clients.