Risk-based breast screenings as effective as annual mammograms
News briefs
- Reviewed by Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Tailoring breast cancer screening to a woman’s individual risk — based on a score calculated from personal risk factors, including genetic test results — works about as well as yearly mammograms, according to a study published online Dec. 12, 2025, by JAMA.
Researchers randomly split 28,372 women ages 40 to 74 (average age 54) into two groups. Women in one group were advised to have yearly mammograms. Women in the other group received personalized screening recommendations based on a risk score that incorporated age, personal and family health history, breast density, and the results of genetic testing. Depending on her score, each woman was advised to have mammograms on a particular schedule; those at highest risk were also told to have breast MRI. The researchers tracked all participants for an average of five years to monitor biopsy rates and breast cancer diagnoses.
The study found that risk-based screening and annual mammograms detected later-stage cancers at similar rates. The rate of biopsy for suspicious lesions was also similar for the two groups despite fewer mammograms in the risk-based group. The study authors concluded that using individual risk assessment to adjust the intensity of breast cancer screening can be as effective as annual mammograms.
Image: © SimpleImages/Getty Images
About the Author
Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
