Take care, get checked: Understanding mammograms and your breast health
5 Minutes
Team Curative
Oct 23, 2025
Why early detection matters
Every year, thousands of people are diagnosed with breast cancer, and when found early, the chances of successful treatment are significantly higher. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), screening mammography every two years for people aged 40 to 74 at average risk has a moderate net benefit in reducing breast-cancer mortality. (USPSTF)
When breast cancer is detected at a local stage (before spreading), survival rates are markedly higher. Detecting cancer early also usually means less-intensive treatment and a better quality of life.
Updated screening guidelines you should know
Here’s what the latest USPSTF guidance says for people at average risk (i.e., no known high-risk gene mutation, no prior chest radiation, no personal history of breast cancer) of breast cancer:
The USPSTF recommends: biennial (every 2 years) screening mammography for persons assigned female at birth (cisgender women) aged 40 to 74 years. (USPSTF)
For people aged 75 years or older, evidence is insufficient to recommend for or against routine screening. (JAMA Network)
Regarding supplemental screening (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI) for those with dense breast tissue: the USPSTF concludes that evidence is insufficient to assess benefits vs harms. (JAMA Network)
What this means for screening planning
If you’re 40–74 years old and at average risk, plan for a mammogram every 2 years.
If you’re younger than 40 or 75+, or you have higher risk (BRCA mutation, strong family history, prior chest radiation), talk with your provider about personalized screening.
Breast density may increase risk and complicate imaging, but as of now the USPSTF does not formally recommend additional screening modalities for dense breasts at average risk. (JAMA Network)
Clarifying common screening myths
Clinical breast exams (CBE) and self-exams: while breast self-exams are no longer recommended as a substitute for screening mammography, many organizations advise “breast awareness” — knowing how your breasts normally look and feel and reporting changes to your provider.
Mammograms and radiation: mammographic radiation exposure is very low.
3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis, DBT): considered effective, but screening interval recommendations remain based on the underlying evidence for mammography broadly. (USPSTF)
What about breast density?
Breast tissue density is a factor to discuss with your provider. “Dense breasts” mean more fibroglandular tissue relative to fatty tissue. While this doesn’t by itself demand a different screening frequency, it may warrant additional discussion because:
Dense tissue can make mammograms harder to interpret, because dense tissue and cancer both appear white on imaging.
Many women with dense breasts have a higher risk of breast cancer compared to those without.
Even with dense breasts, there is not yet clear evidence that supplemental screening (ultrasound or MRI) is universally beneficial at average risk. (USPSTF)
If you have dense breasts and other risk factors (e.g., family history, prior chest radiation), your provider may recommend an individualized plan.
How Curative supports preventive care
At Curative, preventive care is front-and-center. Here’s how you get aligned:
Baseline Visit within 120 days
Every Curative plan member is asked to complete a Baseline Visit (within 120 calendar days of plan effective date) to unlock the full zero-out-of-pocket benefit stru
cture. (drugabusetreatment.org) During this Baseline Visit you’ll complete:
Onboarding with a Care Navigator.
A one-on-one clinical check-in with a Curative clinician to review health history and build a care roadmap.
$0 out-of-pocket for in-network
Once Baseline is complete, many Curative members enjoy $0 copays, $0 deductibles, $0 out-of-pocket for in-network care and preferred prescriptions. This means getting your mammogram, other screenings, and, if needed, treatment.
Preventive-first mindset
Curative’s model shifts the conversation: not “what happens when you get sick?” but “how do we keep you well?” That means encouraging the kinds of recommended screenings and prioritizing engagement in preventive visits.
What members should do now
Book your Baseline Visit if you haven’t already — it’s the gateway to full benefits at $0 in-network.
If you’re age 40-74 and assigned female at birth (with average risk), schedule a mammogram every two years. Mark it in your calendar.
If you have higher risk (family history, prior chest radiation, gene mutation), speak with your provider about starting earlier or more frequently.
Know your breast density — ask your provider if your mammogram report mentions it, and discuss any implications.
Stay connected with your Care Navigator to help schedule screenings and stay on-track with preventive care.
Document your visits and results, and keep a plan in place to attend future screenings — preventive care is a habit, not a one-time action.
Why this matters for employers and members
For employers offering Curative health plans, this preventive-first design helps reduce long-term costs: healthier members, fewer advanced-stage diagnoses, fewer complications. For members, the value is clear: predictable access, no surprise costs, and a plan built around prevention.
When you align screening-best-practices (per USPSTF) with a health plan that removes financial barriers, early detection becomes not just possible — but practical. For more detail on Curative’s plan benefits, visit Curative’s employer page and learn how it works for your workforce. (Curative Health Insurance)
By staying engaged with recommended screenings and leveraging a preventive-focused plan like Curative’s, you’re placing a strong bet on early detection and long-term health. If you have questions about how your benefits apply to you — or how to talk to your provider about breast density, screening intervals, or starting earlier — reach out to your Care Navigator today.
Resources
Screening for Breast Cancer: USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement. Link (USPSTF)
Curative Baseline Visit overview. Link (Curative Health Insurance)
Curative For Employers: plan benefits. Link (Curative Health Insurance)
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Table of Contents
Why early detection matters
Updated screening guidelines you should know
What about breast density?
How Curative supports preventive care
What members should do now
Why this matters for employers and members
