New breast cancer screenings could save your life

By Michael G. Beaulieu, MD
Medical Director, LMAS District Health Department

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer, encourage early detection and remind people that screening can save lives. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, and approximately 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime.

According to the Susan G. Komen 2026 Breast Cancer Fact Sheet, about 322,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected among women in the United States in 2026, along with approximately 2,670 cases in men. Nearly 43,000 women and men are expected to die from the disease this year.

There is encouraging news. Improvements in early detection and treatment have contributed to a 44% decline in the U.S. breast cancer death rate between 1989 and 2023. Finding breast cancer before it has spread generally makes treatment more successful, which is one reason regular screening is so important.

Screening recommendations have changed in recent years, and recommendations differ somewhat among medical organizations. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Academy of Family Physicians currently recommend that women ages 40 through 74 who are at average risk have a mammogram every two years.

The American Cancer Society recommends a somewhat different approach. Women ages 40 to 44 have the option of beginning annual mammograms, women ages 45 to 54 should have yearly mammograms, and women 55 and older can transition to every-other-year screening or continue annually. Screening should continue for as long as a woman is in good health and expected to live at least 10 more years.

These recommendations generally apply to women at average risk. People with a personal or strong family history of breast cancer, certain genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, or a history of radiation treatment to the chest may need a different screening schedule or additional testing, such as breast MRI.

It is also important to know how your breasts normally look and feel. A new lump, change in breast size or shape, skin changes, nipple changes or other unusual changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider rather than waiting for the next scheduled mammogram.

Breast cancer can affect people of all backgrounds, and early detection remains an important part of reducing the impact of the disease. If you are due for a mammogram—or aren’t sure whether you are—contact your primary care physician or healthcare provider. They can review your personal and family history, determine your individual risk and help you decide when screening should begin and how often you should be screened.

This October, take a few minutes to make breast health part of your preventive health care. Know your risk. Know the recommendations. And talk with your healthcare provider.