Abstract
Breast cancer accounts for more than a quarter million diagnoses each year in the United States. Routine screening is the primary method used to detect cancer in its earliest stages, before symptoms develop. Recent changes to national screening guidelines have resulted in a lack of consensus and confusion among health care providers and the public. This article reviews the guidelines of the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and provides guidance to nurses as they support and educate patients.