The Texas Medical Association (TMA) has announced its support for new guidelines recommending that women of average risk begin annual mammography screenings at age 40. This policy, adopted by the TMA House of Delegates at its 2025 annual meeting, aligns with recommendations from the American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging (ACR/SBI). The guidelines do not set an upper age limit for these screenings.
“More and more younger people are being diagnosed with cancer, so it made sense to lower the [screening] age,” said Terri L. Woodard, MD, co-chair of the TMA Committee on Cancer. She emphasized that decisions about mammography screening should involve shared decision-making between patients and their physicians.
TMA is also focusing on increasing awareness among both patients and physicians regarding the importance of these updated guidelines. The organization encourages state funding to improve access to mammography programs, particularly as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“Screening saves lives,” Dr. Woodard said.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis among women in Texas after skin cancer. Data indicate a rise in cases among women under 50 in the state. In response, TMA advocates expanding mobile mammography units to reach underserved areas where access to screening is limited.
Dr. Woodard pointed out disparities in healthcare access: “It made sense to try to improve access to people who might be limited by finances, by transportation issues, and so forth.”
The initiatives aim to promote early detection efforts across Texas due to the prevalence of breast cancer. Physicians note that one in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime, while one in 43 will die from it. Each year, breast cancer accounts for about 30% of new cancer diagnoses nationwide. According to estimates from the Texas Department of State Health Services, approximately 21,083 women in Texas were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and around 3,535 died from it.
Dr. Woodard is a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist based in Houston who works mainly with patients at risk for or recovering from cancer. She described how some women delay screening due to competing responsibilities or misconceptions related to recent pregnancies.
“Many women in their 40s have so many competing priorities,” said Dr. Woodard. “We’re working, we’re taking care of children, we’re taking care of parents; and a lot of times we don’t put ourselves first. Sometimes we need to hear that this is something that you should and need to do.”
She added that some recently pregnant women may attribute lumps found during self-exams to breastfeeding rather than seeking evaluation: “They find a mass and they figure, ‘It’s related to breastfeeding. It’s probably nothing.’ And they go on without being evaluated.”
Dr. Woodard summarized her objective: “We want fewer women to die of cancer,” she said. “We want people to have access to screening and literally save their lives.”
TMA represents more than 59,000 physician and medical student members throughout Texas through its network headquartered in Austin since its founding in 1853.
