Breast cancer continues to be the leading new cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of death among women in the US.1 To reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality associated with breast cancer, accessible and affordable screening, diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance strategies that balance harms and benefits are needed.
The most recent (2016) US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast cancer screening recommendations for women with average risk advise biennial screening in women aged 50 to 74 years.2 Among younger women (aged 40-49 years), the estimates of reduced breast cancer mortality are smaller and have more uncertainty, and the rates of potential harm are higher. Thus, the USPSTF does not recommend routine screening but suggests individualization based on shared decision-making.3,4