Peoria Standard

A federal panel has updated its guidance, now recommending that women begin mammogram screenings every other year starting at age 40, rather than waiting until age 50. This change comes as the American Cancer Society projects that nearly 300,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, and about 43,700 women are expected to die from the disease.

Heather Thompson, a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare, emphasized that while some risk factors for breast cancer cannot be controlled, there are several lifestyle choices that can help reduce risk. “You want to make sure you’re well-maintained with your weight, even after menopause,” Thompson said. She explained that maintaining an active lifestyle and eating healthy foods can help lower body fat, which produces estrogen—a hormone linked to the growth of cancer cells.

Thompson also advised caution when considering hormone use. “We don’t encourage people who are having menopause symptoms [like hot flashes] to take hormones,” she said. “We encourage other things to help treat those. It eliminates those estrogen cells increasing.”

Alcohol consumption and smoking are additional risk factors. According to Thompson, even one alcoholic drink per day can increase a woman’s breast cancer risk by 12 percent because alcohol is high in sugar and fuels estrogen production.

Night shift work may also play a role in increasing risk due to disruptions in melatonin production caused by artificial light exposure during nighttime hours. “You’re getting artificial light all night. That changes the melatonin that the body naturally makes,” Thompson explained. “When your melatonin is off, it increases estrogen.” She suggested exploring alternative work shifts if possible.

Some risks remain outside individual control. Age is a major factor; most cases develop after age 50. Family history and genetic mutations—especially on the mother’s side—can increase risk as well. Genetic testing may be recommended for women with a family history of breast cancer. “Those tests can tell us if this is something being passed down from generation to generation,” Thompson said.

Reproductive history also matters: early menstruation (before age 12) or late menopause (after age 55) lengthen exposure to estrogen-producing ovarian activity and raise risk levels. Breast density is another factor; denser breasts have more tissue and less fat, which can make detecting tumors more difficult but technology continues to improve early detection rates.

Thompson encouraged women to share their medical histories—including family cancer history and any physical changes noticed during self-exams—with their healthcare providers so preventive care plans can be tailored accordingly.

More information about breast health and care is available on the OSF HealthCare website.