In the United States, there are no official rules about breast cancer screening for women who are 75 or older. Some health groups say older women can keep getting regular mammograms if they want to, while others say there isn’t enough proof that it helps much.
A new study shows that women 80 and older who get mammograms might still have breast cancers found early. These cancers are often easier to treat with less aggressive options like pills. Dr. Nimmi Kapoor, the study’s lead author and a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said finding cancer early lets doctors use less intense treatments but still get good results.
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Right now, big medical groups don’t agree on what to do after age 74. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force last changed its mammogram guidelines in 2024, saying screening should stop at 74. For women older than 75, they suggest making screening decisions with doctors based on a person’s health, preferences, and values. They also say more research is needed for older women. The American Cancer Society recommends continuing screening for healthy women who are expected to live at least 10 more years. The American College of Radiology also supports mammograms beyond 74 without an upper age limit, unless serious health issues shorten life expectancy.
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Breast cancer risk goes up with age, and Dr. Kapoor said it’s especially important to screen because the U.S. has an aging population. The study looked at medical records of 174 women aged 80 or older who were diagnosed with breast cancer at UCLA between 2013 and 2020. Most tumors were estrogen receptor-positive and HER2-negative, which are common and treatable types. Early detection through mammograms was linked to a 55 percent lower chance of the cancer coming back and a 74 percent lower chance of death, even when considering age, tumor type, and surgery.
Dr. Kapoor also pointed out that finding cancer in older women can be easier because past mammograms give a clear history, making changes more noticeable. The study only looked at women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, so it didn’t check possible downsides of screening like false alarms, extra tests, stress, or costs. Bigger studies will be needed to confirm these results. Dr. Robert Smith, PhD, from the American Cancer Society, said about a quarter of women are diagnosed with breast cancer after age 75. These are often first-time findings that can be caught early with mammograms. Dr. Jason Mouabbi from MD Anderson Cancer Center said women over 75 shouldn’t stop mammograms without thinking things through. He recommended checking with an oncologist and noted that getting a second opinion is usually covered by Medicare.
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