ConexiantACP Updates Breast Cancer Screening Guidance

The American College of Physicians updated breast cancer screening guidance for asymptomatic, average‑risk women, emphasizing biennial mammography for certain age groups and shared decision‑making where evidence of benefit is less clear.

Key Clinical Considerations

• Biennial mammography is recommended for average‑risk women ages 50–74, where evidence supports a favorable balance between mortality reduction and screening‑related harms.
• For women ages 40–49, ACP recommends shared decision‑making rather than routine screening, citing limited mortality benefit and higher rates of false positives and overdiagnosis.
• For women age 75 or older or with limited life expectancy, clinicians should discuss discontinuing screening due to unclear benefit and increased risk of harm.

Clinical Practice Impact

• Reinforces that screening decisions should prioritize individual risk and patient values, rather than default age‑based protocols alone.
• Clarifies that more frequent or earlier screening does not necessarily improve outcomes and may increase unnecessary testing and distress.
• Supports limiting supplemental imaging in average‑risk patients unless clearly indicated within shared decision‑making conversations.

For Guidelines/Recommendations