October is
Breast Cancer
Awareness Month

New Mammography Guidelines:
Start at Age 40

The Bassett Cancer Institute offers the following mammogram eligibility guidelines:

• It is recommended for women to get their first mammogram at age 40, after which, breast cancer screenings should be done annually.
• If you have a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with breast cancer (mother, father, sister, brother, daughter, or son) you should start your screenings 10 years prior to the age when they were diagnosed (with the exception of daughter/son diagnoses). For example, if your mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 42, you should start screening at age 32. If your son or daughter is diagnosed with breast cancer, contact your primary care practitioner to schedule a screening.
• If you test positive for BRACA 1, you should start receiving mammograms at age 30.
• If you are breastfeeding, you should stop for 3-6 months prior to getting a mammogram.
• 3D mammograms are especially useful in screening women with dense breast tissue.

How to Schedule a Mammogram in MyBassett

With an existing referral from your practitioner, you can easily schedule your mammogram screening appointment through MyBassett: