What is the USPSTF position on screening mammography for women?

• A. Biennial screening mammography for women aged 40 to 74 years
• B. Annual mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years
• C. Biennial screening mammography for women aged 30 to 60 years
• D. No mammography screening is recommended

Answer: (A)

Screening mammography is recommended every two years for women aged 40 to 74 because this interval provides a meaningful reduction in breast cancer mortality while balancing potential harms. The two-year pace reduces the rate of false positives, unnecessary biopsies, and anxiety that come with more frequent screening, without substantially sacrificing benefit in this age range. Beginning screening before age 40 yields less net benefit due to lower cancer incidence, and screening after age 74 offers diminishing returns because of competing health risks and a higher chance of overdiagnosis. So the approved approach is biennial screening for women in this 40–74 window.