Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer screening means checking the breasts for cancer before there are any symptoms or problems. Medical clinics, hospitals, health care providers' offices, and imaging centers offer breast cancer screening. Breast cancer screening cannot prevent breast cancer, but it can find it early when it may be easier to treat. Talk to your health care provider about your risks and ask about when you should be screened and how often.

Breast Cancer Screening Recommendation

Current guidelines* recommend having a screening mammogram every other year beginning at age 40 and continuing through age 74. This recommendation is for:

This recommendation DOES NOT APPLY to persons who have:

  • a genetic marker or syndrome associated with a high risk of breast cancer (e.g., BRCA1 or BRCA2)
  • a history of high-dose radiation therapy to the chest at a young age
  • a previous breast cancer diagnosis
  • a high-risk breast lesion on previous biopsies

People with these risk factors should follow their health care provider's guidance about when to begin screening, how often to be screened, and whether any additional screening tests are needed.

* These are United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. Many organizations and professional societies have developed guidelines for mammography screening. All recommend that individuals should talk with their doctor about their own risk for breast cancer and decide, with a health care provider, what age to start and how often to get screened for breast cancer.

Getting Screened

If you don't have insurance, you may be able to get a free breast cancer screening and additional tests as needed through the New York State Cancer Services Program (CSP). If cancer is found, treatment may be covered for those with no health insurance and who qualify.

  • Call 1-866-442-CANCER (2262) to find a CSP near you. The call is free, and operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hablamos español. We also have translation services for other languages. You can also visit our Community Programs List to find your local CSP by county or borough and call directly.
  • If you do not live in New York State, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find a low and/or no cost screening program in your state.

If you do have health insurance, breast cancer screening is covered at no cost to the patient by nearly all health plans, including those that participate in the New York State of Health. Breast cancer screening is also fully covered through New York's Medicaid program. Learn more here.

Breast Cancer Screening Test: Mammogram

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast. It is the best way to look for early signs of breast cancer. Getting a mammogram regularly can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Other Exams

  • Clinical breast exam - A clinical breast exam is an examination by a health care provider, who uses their hands to feel for lumps or other changes in the breast or underarm (armpit).
  • Breast self-awareness- Knowing how your breasts normally look and feel can help you notice changes, such as lumps, pain, or a difference in breast size. These could include changes found during a breast self-exam. You should contact your health care provider about anything that worries you.

Clinical breast exams or self-exams alone are not enough to find breast cancer. It is important to get regular mammograms as well.

Additional Tests

Your health care provider may send you for additional tests if there is something concerning on a mammogram or during a clinical breast exam or if you are at higher risk of breast cancer. These tests may include more mammogram views, a breast ultrasound, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or biopsy. Additional tests may also include ductogram or thermography.

IMPORTANT: Thermography is not a substitute for mammography and should not be used for breast cancer screening or diagnosis. Go to the National Cancer Institute (patient information and provider information) and the Federal Drug Administration (patient information and safety communication) for more information about thermography.