The Breast Cancer Screening Revolution

Rona Ahdout2 min readBreast cancer remains one of the most pressing health concerns facing women today. One in eight women are expected to receive a diagnosis in their lifetime, and incidence rates are rising in women under 50. The good news: An exciting new era of breast cancer screening and prevention is here. Thanks to breakthrough technologies, genomic advances, and a major shift toward preventive medicine, women will have access to the intel they need to screen in the best way for them...before it’s too late.If you’re concerned about the increasing number of young women getting breast cancer, or if you’re confused about current screening guidelines, you’ve come to the right place. First, you’ll find our special report on the new era of breast cancer screening that centers on a risk-based approach, rather than relying on age alone, to “better catch young women who’ve been falling through the cracks,” as reporter Erica Sloan writes. After that, you can calculate your own breast cancer risk by taking one of these free tests, then head to our supplemental breast cancer screening methods guide to determine whether you qualify for additional tests beyond mammograms.If you learn you may be at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, consider reading this powerful story on the young women who chose to undergo preventive double mastectomies, then take a look at this piece on the emerging science around GLP-1s as a potential breast cancer prevention tool. Lastly, if you qualify for supplemental screening, you’ll want to read this op-ed from JoAnn Pushkin, executive director of DenseBreast-info.org, on why early breast cancer detection shouldn’t be a financial barrier, so you can advocate for the care you deserve.Your Guide to Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention:Photographs: Rona AhdoutStyling: Jasmine FontainaHair: Griselle Rosario using PatternMakeup: Deborah Altizio using ILIA Cosmetics for TraceyMattingly.comManicure: Yukie Miyakawa using DiorVisual Director: Fabienne Le RouxArt Director: Christine Giordano