Table 4.
Guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer in average risk women under age 40
| Screening method | Frequency | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Breast self-examination (BSE) | Recommended | American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); American Medical Association (AMA); National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) |
| The AMA encourages physicians to educate their patients in the process of breast cancer detection, emphasizing the technique of self-examination of their breasts. | American Medical Association (AMA) Policies on Breast Cancer | |
| Optional for women starting in their 20s | American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer | |
| Insufficient evidence | American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP); National Cancer Institute (NCI) | |
| Not recommended: The USPSTF recommends against teaching BSE. There is moderate or high certainty that the service has no net benefit or that the harms outweigh the benefits. | U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) | |
| Clinical breast examination (CBE) | Recommended every three years for women in their 20s and 30s | American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer |
| Recommended annually for women age 40+ | ACOG, NCCN, ACS | |
| Insufficient evidence: No USPSTF recommendation for women <40; however the USPSTF concludes that evidence is lacking and the balance of harms and benefits cannot be determined for CBE as a supplement to mammography in older women. | U.S. Preventive Services Task Force | |
| Not recommended for women of any age | World Health Organization |