How old do you have to be for a mammogram?

40: Most women should have a baseline at age 35 and yearly mammograms beginning at age 40. If a woman's mother has had breast cancer at an early age, that woman should get a mammogram 10 years before the age of onset of the mother's breast cancer.

35 to 40: Under usual circumstances and without any other reasons to do a mammogram, a baseline screening can be done from age 35 to 40. If this was ok then it is recommended to do yearly mammography starting at age 40. There are however, some disagreements as to the efficacy of mammogram between the ages of 40-50 years. American cancer society recommends to get mammogram on a yearly basis from age 40.

Age 40, unless: If you are a BRCA carrier , or otherwise of very high risk, it may be appropriate to begin screening early. If you have a lump or other symptom, see your doctor, ultrasound would be the first imaging test of choice in your age group. Otherwise, the American College of Radiology, American Cancer Society, and others recommend screening starting at age 40.