Breast Cancer Screening Statement

The Huntsman-Intermountain Cancer Care Program (HICCP) would like to assist women in Utah as they decide on the most appropriate breast cancer screening approach. The HICCP is a non-business affiliation between the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and Intermountain Healthcare, established to advance cancer research and education so as to improve the standard of cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment in the State of Utah.

HICCP recommends that women: 1) not change the breast cancer screening guidelines that they are now following, and; 2) speak with their health care provider before considering a change to any breast cancer screening regimen that has been recommended.

Breast cancer screening guidelines are often modified for an individual's particular risk or situation.

Present Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines

Present guidelines for women in general include:

1. Clinical breast exams every 2-3 years starting at age 20 and yearly starting at age 40.
2. Yearly mammograms starting at age 40.
3. Monthly self breast exams starting at age 20.

More clinical investigative work needs to be done. Intermountain and other national health policy organizations are carefully considering the new research data before any changes are made in national breast cancer screening guidelines.