Breast cancer screening: how countries compare
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General information only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for a doctor.
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
Each country bases its guidelines on its own evidence reviews and health system. Age Flags lists them side by side and does not judge between them.
United States
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammogram (breast X-ray) Breast cancer screening |
Women; ages 40 to 74 | every 2 years | US Preventive Services Task Force · Breast Cancer: Screening · USPSTF grade B MyHealthfinder: Get Screened for Breast Cancer |
England, UK
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammogram (breast X-ray) Breast cancer screening |
Women; from age 50 until your 71st birthday | every 3 years | NHS England · NHS Breast Screening Programme · National programme Breast screening (mammogram): Who breast screening is for Breast screening: programme overview |
China
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breast examination and breast ultrasound Breast cancer screening |
Women; ages 35 to 64 | every 2–3 years · The interval applies when the breast ultrasound result is normal or benign; an unclear result leads to a mammogram, a suspicious one to a biopsy. Priority is given to rural women and urban women on minimum living allowance. | National Health Commission (China) · 乳腺癌筛查工作方案 · National programme 《宫颈癌筛查工作方案》和《乳腺癌筛查工作方案》文件解读（国家卫生健康委）— 河北省卫生健康委员会网站转载 国家卫生健康委办公厅关于印发宫颈癌筛查工作方案和乳腺癌筛查工作方案的通知（国卫办妇幼函〔2021〕635号）— 河北省卫生健康委员会网站转载 |
Japan
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammogram (breast X-ray) Breast cancer screening |
Women; age 40 and over | every 2 years · Screening is particularly recommended for women aged 40 to 69. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
Spain
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammogram (breast X-ray) Breast cancer screening |
Women; ages 50 to 69 | every 2 years | Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain) · Cribado poblacional de cáncer de mama (cartera común básica de servicios del SNS) · National programme Real Decreto 1030/2006, de 15 de septiembre, cartera de servicios comunes del SNS — texto consolidado, anexo I apartado 3 (BOE) |
Brazil
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammogram (breast X-ray) Breast cancer screening |
Women; ages 50 to 74 | every 2 years · Women aged 40 to 49, or over 74, without suspicious signs or symptoms can still have a screening mammogram on request in the public health system (SUS), after a health professional explains the possible risks and benefits. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Nota Técnica nº 626/2025-CGCAN/DECAN/SAES/MS (acesso ao exame de mamografia no SUS) · Technical guideline Detecção precoce — Controle do câncer de mama (INCA, Ministério da Saúde) |
Emergency and crisis lines
United States
Emergency 911 Emergency services (United States) · Source
Crisis line 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (United States) · Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
United Kingdom
Emergency 999 NHS England · Source
Health advice 111 NHS England · Source
Crisis line 116 123 Samaritans · Open 24 hours a day. · Source
China
Emergency 120 National Health Commission (China) · Source
Crisis line 12356 National Health Commission (China) · Each line provides at least 18 hours of service a day under the national notice; hours vary by city. · Source
Japan
Emergency 119 Fire and Disaster Management Agency (Japan) · Source
Crisis line 0120‑061‑338 #いのちSOS (Lifelink) · Open 24 hours a day, every day (free call). · Source
Crisis line 0120‑279‑338 Yorisoi Hotline · Open 24 hours a day (free call). · Source
Spain
Emergency 112 Emergency services (Spain) · Source
Crisis line 024 Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain) · Free and confidential, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
Brazil
Emergency 192 Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Source
Crisis line 188 CVV — Centro de Valorização da Vida · Free, 24 hours a day, anywhere in Brazil. · Source
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.