Screening Guidelines: Women's Care

About one in eight United States women will develop breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. But, if it’s caught early, breast cancer can be successfully treated and often cured. Early detection, including regular screening mammograms, can save your life.

Our recommendations on breast cancer screening mammograms

We support the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) screening mammography guidelines to help detect breast cancer as early as possible. The ACOG, ACR and SBI guidelines continue to recommend:

• Women ages 40 and older should have annual screening mammograms.
• Screenings should continue as long as a woman is in good health.
• Women 75 years and older, in good health, should be screened every other year.

Screening tests for breast cancer

At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, we recommend and provide the following methods for complete breast health screening:

Screening mammograms

Our physicians use state-of-the-art 3D screening mammograms (X-rays of the breast) to look for breast cancer before changes in the breast are seen or felt. Although screening mammograms don't prevent breast cancer, they may help find cancer early when treatment may be more effective and before it spreads to other parts of the body.

Breast self-examination

We recommend monthly breast self-exams, a woman’s examination of her own breasts for changes or problems. Regular self-exams can help you learn how your breasts feel normally, so you will recognize lumps, skin changes or nipple discharge. The American Cancer Society states that self-exams is an option for women starting in their 20s.

Schedule your screening mammogram today

In the state of Washington, no referral is required for a screening mammogram.