Screening Tests for Young Adults (Ages 19-29)

The American Cancer Society recommends the following for young women:

• Women in their 20s and 30s should have a breast exam by a health professional about every 3 years as part of their regular health exam.
• Mammograms generally aren't recommended for women of average risk who are under the age of 40.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation for those of average risk is as follows:

• Under age 50, the decision when to start screening should be based on a woman's medical history and risk factors.

Links
American Cancer Society: What are the risk factors for breast cancer?
American Cancer Society: Can breast cancer be found early?

Sources

American Medical Women’s Association. Breast cancer screening. Revised 2000. Available on the Internet at http://www.amwa-doc.org/index.cfm?objectId=0AA0C8F2-D567-0B25-565A679EEA33CD7D through http://www.amwa-doc.org. Accessed 7 Feb 2008.

American Cancer Society. Detailed guide: breast cancer—can breast cancer be found early? Revised 13 Sep 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_3x.asp?dt=5 through http://www.cancer.org. Accessed 7 Feb 2008.

National Women’s Health Information Center, US Department of Health and Human Services. General screenings and immunizations for women. Material posted as of Nov 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.4women.gov/screeningcharts/general through http://www.4women.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.

US Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd07/gcp2c.htm through http://www.ahrq.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.

American Academy of Family Physicians. Summary of recommendations for clinical preventive services (rev 6.4). 15 Aug 2007. Available on the Internet through http://www.guideline.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women’s health—facts and stats—selected US national research findings—cancer. 2004. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/women/natstat/cancer.htm#breast through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed 7 Feb 2008.

American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer screening: update 2003. CA Cancer J Clin. 2003;53:141-169. Available on the Internet at http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cgi/content/full/53/3/141 through http://caonline.amcancersoc.org. Accessed 15 Jul 2004 and 7 Feb 2008.

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Department of Health and Human Services. Breast cancer: the most common malignancy in women. Spring 2004. Prevention Report 18(3). Available on the Internet at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/PUBS/prevrpt/04Volume18/Issue3pr.htm through http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov. Accessed 7 Feb 2008.

American College of Radiology. Breast care guidelines (press release). Nov 2000.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program—reducing mortality through screening (2003 program fact sheet). Revised May 2004. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/about.htm through http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed 15 Jul 2004.

US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for breast cancer: recommendations and rationale (release date Feb 2002). 3 Sep 2002. Ann Intern Med 137(5 Part 1):344-346. Available on the Internet at http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm through http://www.ahcpr.gov. Accessed 15 Jul 2004 and 7 Feb 2008.