What are the current UK guidelines for the age and frequency of mammography screening in women?

Age and Frequency of Mammography Screening in Women in the UK:

Women aged 50 to 70 years are routinely offered mammography screening every three years as part of the NHS Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP). This is the standard population screening programme.

For women at moderate risk of breast cancer (lifetime risk 17% to less than 30%), annual mammography is recommended between ages 40 and 49, with consideration of annual mammography between 50 and 59 years, and participation in the population screening programme from age 60 onwards.

Women at high risk of breast cancer (lifetime risk 30% or greater), including those with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, are recommended to have annual mammography starting from age 40 up to age 69. For those aged 70 and over with a personal history of breast cancer and high risk, mammography as part of the population screening programme is advised.

Women under 40 years are generally not offered mammography unless part of specific high-risk surveillance protocols.

Digital mammography is recommended for women under 50 years undergoing mammography at centres providing this technology to NHSBSP standards.

These recommendations are tailored according to individual risk categories and genetic mutation status, with MRI surveillance offered in some high-risk groups instead of or alongside mammography.

Overall, the frequency ranges from annual mammography in moderate to high-risk women aged 40 to 69, to triennial screening in the general population aged 50 to 70, with continuation beyond 70 years based on risk and history.

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