At what age can you stop getting mammograms?

Oct 29, 2025 3 min read •

Health women's health Oncology

According to the American Cancer Society, a woman's risk of breast cancer increases with age, with more than half of breast cancer deaths occurring in women 70 and older. This makes the decision of at what age can you stop getting mammograms a personalized choice, heavily influenced by a woman's health status and life expectancy, not just her chronological age.

Quick Summary

This article explores the individualized factors, guidelines, and shared decision-making process involved in deciding when to stop mammogram screenings. It covers the differing recommendations from major health organizations, the importance of life expectancy, and the potential benefits and harms of continued screening for women over 75.

Key Points

Age is not the sole factor: Decisions on when to stop mammograms should be based on a woman's overall health and life expectancy, not just her age.
Consider a 10-year life expectancy: Many guidelines suggest continuing screening as long as a woman is in good health and has a life expectancy of 10 years or more.
Guidelines differ for women over 75: The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) finds insufficient evidence to recommend for or against screening for women 75+, leaving the decision to clinical judgment.
Discuss with your doctor: Engaging in shared decision-making with your healthcare provider is crucial to weigh the benefits of early detection against the potential harms of screening.
Understand the trade-offs: Benefits of continued screening include reduced mortality and less-invasive treatment, while harms include anxiety from false positives and potential overdiagnosis.
Don't stop prematurely: For women with a life expectancy over 10 years, stopping screening too early can lead to a higher risk of being diagnosed with later-stage, more aggressive cancers.

When to Consider Stopping Routine Mammograms

The decision of when to stop routine mammograms is moving away from strict age cutoffs towards a personalized approach that considers a woman's overall health, life expectancy, and personal preferences.

Life Expectancy and Comorbidities

A key factor in this decision is a woman's estimated life expectancy. If a woman has a life expectancy of less than 10 years, the potential benefits of detecting breast cancer early through a mammogram may not be realized within her lifetime, and the potential harms of screening might outweigh the benefits. A woman's existing health conditions (comorbidities) are therefore crucial in this assessment, potentially making a healthy 80-year-old a candidate for continued screening while a 75-year-old with significant health issues might not be.

Weighing Benefits and Harms

For older women in good health, continuing mammography can still find breast cancer at an early, more treatable stage. However, screening in older age also increases the risk of false positives and overdiagnosis, potentially leading to unnecessary anxiety, biopsies, and treatment for cancers that wouldn't have caused harm.

Comparison of Major Screening Guidelines for Women Over 70

Recommendations for mammogram screening for women over 70 vary among different health organizations, particularly regarding age limits and the emphasis on individualized assessment. Here is a comparison of guidance for average-risk women:


Organization	Recommendation for Women 70-74	Recommendation for Women 75+
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)	Biennial screening mammography is recommended for women ages 40 to 74.	Concludes evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms. The decision is left to clinical judgment.
American Cancer Society (ACS)	Can continue yearly mammograms or switch to every other year. Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and has a life expectancy of 10+ years.	Screening should continue as long as a woman is in good health and has a life expectancy of 10+ years.
American College of Physicians (ACP)	Recommends screening until at least age 75.	No screening is recommended for women over 75 or any age with serious health conditions that limit life expectancy.

The Role of Shared Decision-Making

Shared decision-making is a vital part of determining when to stop mammograms. This involves a detailed conversation between a woman and her doctor, taking into account her health status, values, and goals. This approach moves away from rigid rules and helps ensure that screening decisions, especially for women over 75, reflect a balance between the potential benefits of finding treatable cancers and the downsides like the stress of false positives or potential overtreatment.

What to Discuss With Your Doctor

A thorough discussion with your doctor is essential when considering stopping mammograms. They will likely assess your overall health, potentially using a prognostic tool that includes factors like age, other medical conditions, and mobility. Your doctor will also discuss your preferences regarding cancer treatment. This conversation helps ensure your screening decisions align with your individual circumstances and wishes.

The Dangers of Stopping Prematurely

For women with a life expectancy exceeding 10 years, stopping mammograms prematurely can be risky. Discontinuing screening can increase the likelihood of diagnosing breast cancer at a later, less treatable stage. Given that breast cancer risk rises with age, early detection through screening remains important for many older women.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to the question, at what age can you stop getting mammograms? The decision should be a shared one, made with your doctor, considering your overall health, life expectancy, and personal values. While some guidelines mention age 75, many emphasize good health and a life expectancy of at least 10 years as the key factors. The goal is to balance the benefits of early detection against the potential harms, ensuring the decision supports your quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most health organizations recommend that women at average risk for breast cancer begin screening mammograms between the ages of 40 and 45. The frequency and duration of screening, however, vary by guideline.

No, there are differing opinions. Some organizations, like the American College of Physicians, suggest stopping around age 75, while others, including the American Cancer Society, base their recommendation on a woman's health and life expectancy rather than a strict age limit.

Your doctor will assess your overall health, including existing medical conditions (comorbidities), functional status, and personal history. They may use prognostic tools to estimate your 10-year life expectancy, which helps determine if the long-term benefits of screening are relevant for you.

Potential harms include false-positive results that cause anxiety and lead to unnecessary follow-up procedures like biopsies. There is also a risk of overdiagnosis, which is detecting a cancer that would not have caused symptoms or death within a woman's lifetime.

For women in good health, continuing mammograms can lead to the detection of breast cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage. Studies have shown that older women who continue screening have a lower risk of dying from breast cancer compared to those who stop.

Regardless of age or screening history, any woman who notices a new breast symptom—such as a lump, nipple discharge, or a change in breast size or shape—should see her doctor immediately. A diagnostic mammogram or other tests would be performed to investigate the symptom, as this is different from routine screening.

For women at high risk due to family history, genetic mutations, or past radiation therapy, the decision to stop screening is even more complex. These women should have a detailed, ongoing discussion with their healthcare provider, considering their specific risk factors and personal preferences.

References

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health decisions.