VA Announces New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations for Women Veterans

WASHINGTON (March 17, 2025) — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced new breast cancer screening recommendations for our nation’s women Veterans.

According to VA, women Veterans should begin breast cancer screening with scheduled mammograms or X-rays at age 40. The new recommendation is five years earlier than VA’s prior recommendation to begin screenings at 45.

VA says new research shows that more women Veterans’ lives can be saved by following the new screening recommendations.

Women Veterans aged 40-74 are also recommended to schedule breast cancer screenings every two years, VA says. Women Veterans aged beyond 74 should consult their health care provider about finding the right plan based on their risks and preference.

Mammograms are an important screening step women Veterans can schedule to detect breast cancer early, VA emphasizes. The screenings can be scheduled annually, if preferred, and are covered for women Veterans receiving VA care.

Women Veterans can also learn more about breast cancer screening by searching the Veterans Health Library.

Read more about early breast cancer detection in this recent VA News article sharing VA's new screening recommendations for women Veterans.