What’s the Right Age to Get Your First Mammogram?

Regular health screenings can catch problems early when they’re most treatable. Many women skip or delay these important tests due to busy schedules, fear, or simply not knowing when to start. 

But staying on top of your screening schedule is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health. 

With locations in the Navy Hill and Williamsburg neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, our board-certified physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners at Tru Medical Management want to help you understand which screenings you need and when.

Here’s your complete guide to the most important women’s health screenings and when to schedule them.

Mammograms: Your best defense against breast cancer

Mammograms remain the gold standard for breast cancer detection. These specialized X-rays can find tumors before you or your doctor can feel them during a physical exam.

Most women should start getting annual mammograms at age 40, but your personal risk factors may change when you should start. 

High-risk factors that may require earlier screening

Several factors can increase your breast cancer risk and warrant earlier mammogram screening, such as: 

• Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
• Known genetic mutations (BRCA1, BRCA2, or others)
• Previous chest radiation therapy
• Personal history of breast biopsies showing high-risk lesions
• Dense breast tissue

Dense breast tissue affects about half of all women and can make mammograms less effective at detecting cancer. If you have dense breasts, we may recommend additional screening with ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Cervical cancer screening: Pap smears and HPV testing

Cervical cancer screening has dramatically reduced deaths from this disease over the past several decades. Regular screening can catch precancerous changes before they become cancer.

Current guidelines recommend starting cervical cancer screening at age 25, regardless of when you became sexually active. For ages 25-65, the preferred method is primary Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing every five years. 

If primary HPV testing isn't available, you can have HPV testing combined with a Pap smear every five years, or a Pap smear alone every three years.

What each test detects

Each screening test looks for different signs of cervical cancer or the conditions that can lead to it. Understanding what each test does can help you feel more confident about your screening appointments:

• Pap smear checks for abnormal cells on the cervix
• The HPV test looks for the virus that causes most cervical cancers
• Co-testing takes both together for a more complete screening

Most abnormal Pap results don’t mean you have cancer. They usually indicate changes that need monitoring or treatment to prevent cancer from developing.

Bone density screening for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis silently weakens your bones, making fractures more likely to occur. By the time you break a bone, you’ve already lost a lot of bone density.

Most women should start bone density screening at age 65, or earlier if they have risk factors. The dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan is painless and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis and may warrant earlier screening, such as:

• Family history of osteoporosis or fractures
• Smoking or heavy alcohol use
• Long-term steroid use
• Early menopause (before age 45)
• Small, thin body frame
• Certain medical conditions or medications

Regular exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, and avoiding smoking can help maintain bone health throughout your life.

Personalized women’s health care in Brooklyn, New York

Staying on top of your health screenings doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Our team at Tru Medical Management can help you create a personalized screening schedule based on your age, family history, and risk factors. 

We provide comprehensive women’s health services, including mammogram coordination, cervical cancer screening, and preventive care planning. Call us today or book your appointment online to ensure you’re getting the right screenings at the right time for optimal health.