At Orange County CyberKnife, we’re proud to provide state-of-the-art cancer treatments to patients throughout Orange County, including cutting-edge options like the CyberKnife System. But despite how far cancer treatment has come, the best way to fight cancer is still through prevention, early detection, and early treatment – and this is especially true for breast cancer. Regular mammograms are one way to detect breast cancer early on, making it easier to treat in the long term. But when should you get your first mammogram?

When to Get a Mammogram

A mammogram refers to an x-ray scanning of the breasts, and it’s one of the primary tools used to detect breast cancer. That said, not all women need preventive mammogram screenings, and experts have laid out a number of guidelines on when women should get preventive mammograms. According to the American Cancer Society, the following mammogram guidelines apply:

• For women age 40 to 44, annual breast cancer screening is optional. We recommend talking with your doctor to decide if it’s right for you.
• For women age 45 to 54, annual mammograms are ideal.
• For women age 55 and up, the ACS recommends mammograms every two years. The ACS also recommends that women continue getting a mammogram every two years for as long as the woman is in good health and expected to live another 10 years.

While these guidelines aren’t end-all-be-all, they’re a good overall guide of when you should start getting mammograms. As always, though, the only way to get the best care for your body is to talk it over with your doctor. You and your doctor should decide on a prevention regimen that makes sense for your lifestyle and medical history.

Contact Your Orange County Cancer Treatment Center

While mammograms have drawbacks, they’re an effective way to spot breast cancer in its early stages, when it’s still relatively easy to treat. Talk with your doctor to decide on the best screening regimen for you, and if you ever are diagnosed with breast cancer, call us at 714.962.7100 to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you understand more about your condition, see the treatment options available to you, and choose the best one for your lifestyle. We look forward to hearing from you, and we wish you luck in staying healthy and cancer-free.