KENTUCKY — Earlier this summer, new guidelines were issued affecting women and their decisions for breast care. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is now recommending that women at average risk of developing breast cancer receive regular mammograms at age 40, which is ten years earlier than previously reported. Also, a new FDA ruling is requiring that starting in 2024, all breast centers must notify women of their breast density, which is considered a risk factor for breast cancer, in their mammogram report.

“The current recommendations are important because screening finds cancers at a smaller size and earlier stage, which means the treatments will be less aggressive and the cancers will be more curable in screening. It has been shown to decrease mortality rates from breast cancer so it’s important to get your screening mammogram,” said Katharine Yao, MD, FACS, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and NorthShore University HealthSystem.

During this In Focus Kentucky segment, Dr. Yao discusses the importance of breast cancer care and how new standards from the ACS can help women take charge of their health to receive the best possible care. Dr. Yao also shares key information on what women should know about new breast cancer guidelines, and why caring for patients through survivorship remains an important, yet often under-addressed, issue for many women.

You can watch the full In Focus Kentucky segment in the player above.