How often should women ages 50-74 have a mammogram according to current guidelines?

How often should women ages 50-74 have a mammogram according to current guidelines?

• A. Every year
• B. Every 2 years
• C. Every 5 years
• D. Every 3 years

Answer: (B)

The frequency being tested is the recommended interval for routine screening mammography in average-risk women aged 50–74. The standard choice is every two years. This biennial schedule balances the benefits of detecting cancers early with the downsides of screening—such as false positives, unnecessary biopsies, anxiety, and cumulative radiation exposure—by providing similar mortality benefits to annual screening while reducing potential harms. For most women in this age group, evidence shows that annual screening does not markedly improve outcomes compared with a two-year interval, but it does increase the likelihood of benign findings and follow-up procedures. If a woman has higher risk factors (family history, prior abnormal results, or very dense breasts), a clinician might consider a different plan, but for average risk in this age range, screening every two years is the guidance.

The frequency being tested is the recommended interval for routine screening mammography in average-risk women aged 50–74. The standard choice is every two years. This biennial schedule balances the benefits of detecting cancers early with the downsides of screening—such as false positives, unnecessary biopsies, anxiety, and cumulative radiation exposure—by providing similar mortality benefits to annual screening while reducing potential harms. For most women in this age group, evidence shows that annual screening does not markedly improve outcomes compared with a two-year interval, but it does increase the likelihood of benign findings and follow-up procedures. If a woman has higher risk factors (family history, prior abnormal results, or very dense breasts), a clinician might consider a different plan, but for average risk in this age range, screening every two years is the guidance.