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All women over the age of 40 have a high risk of developing breast cancer
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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By age 40, regardless of family history of breast cancer, all women have the same risk of developing aggressive breast cancer, a new study shows.
These preliminary data support the recommendation for all women aged 40 to 49 to have annual mammograms, says radiologist Dr. Stamatia Destounis (New York, USA).
S. Destunis conducted an analysis of breast cancer cases that were diagnosed between 2000 and 2010.
"Invasive cancer (cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes) was diagnosed in 64 percent of patients without a family history and 63 percent of those with it," she said.
Over a ten-year period, 373 women aged 40 to 49 were diagnosed with breast cancer using mammography. Of these, nearly 40% had an adverse family history (meaning breast cancer in first-degree relatives). 63.2% of women with a family history were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, compared with 64% of women without a family history.
When they looked at the aggressiveness of the cancer, they found that 29% of women with no family history had cancer spread to the lymph nodes, compared with 31% of women with a negative family history.
The American Cancer Society recommends annual mammogram screening for women beginning at age 40.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Preventive Medicine Task Force earlier this month recommended that women aged 40 to 49 at average risk not have routine mammograms.
"I don't see how this study proves the need for women in their 40s to get mammograms," said Dr. Michael LeFevre, vice chairman of the prevention task force. "The limitation of this study is that it was done in one site."
Lefebvre also noted that "having an aunt who dies of breast cancer at age 85 is not the same as having a mother or sister who dies of breast cancer at age 42" when it comes to family history.
When talking to their doctor about the need for preventive mammography, women should be sure to provide complete information about their family history.
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