Overview

• An observational Swedish cohort of about 433,000 women followed for up to 25 years found that missing the first breast screening was associated with up to a 40% higher long-term risk of dying from breast cancer.
• Women who skipped their initial mammogram had 1.5 times higher odds of being diagnosed at stage III and 3.6 times higher odds at stage IV compared with first‑round attendees.
• Researchers reported that women who miss the first appointment are more likely to skip future rounds, underscoring the first invite as a crucial entry point into regular screening.
• Screening guidance varies: U.S. recommendations generally call for starting mammograms at age 40 with biennial screening to about age 74, while the NHS invites people aged 50 to 71 every three years.
• Health services stress that routine screening can detect cancer before symptoms appear, and note that men can also develop breast cancer, with about 2,800 U.S. male cases expected in 2025.