When Would You Screen This 39-Year-Old Woman for Breast Cancer? Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Screening mammography, which aims to detect asymptomatic breast cancers at earlier and more intervenable stages, has reduced breast cancer mortality, but not overall mortality, in randomized trials. As of 2024, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74 years (grade B recommendation). In these rounds, 2 experts, the first a primary care physician and member of the Task Force and the second an epidemiologist and family practitioner, debate this recommendation in the context of Ms. R, a 39-year-old woman. They discuss the benefits and harms of breast cancer screening, the ideal age and frequency at which to conduct screening, and the key points to include when having a conversation with a patient about breast cancer screening.