How often should I have a mammogram?

The National Cancer Institute, the nation's chief cancer research agency, recommends that women age 40 and older have a mammogram every one to two years. Women who are at higher than average risk of breast cancer should talk with their doctor about when to begin having regular mammograms.

The strongest risk factors for breast cancer include growing older, having a mother or sister who has had the disease, having had the disease yourself, or having had a breast biopsy (removing cells from the body for study under a microscope) that showed an irregular pattern of cell growth.

For more information on mammograms, talk with your doctor or call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

Source:  "Ask the CIS" by the Cancer Information Service.  "Ask the CIS" is distributed by the Cancer Information Service (CIS) of the Heartland, which serves Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri & Illinois. The CIS is a program of the National Cancer Institute. Call the CIS toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. local time.