Breast Cancer Awareness Month is almost over. Have you scheduled your mammogram? The following study is another reminder that skipping mammograms can have dire consequences.
A new long-term study published in The BMJ suggests that women who skip their first mammogram are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer later in life than those who get screened.
Researchers from Zhejiang University in China and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden followed more than 430,000 women who were invited to join Sweden’s national breast-cancer screening program between 1991 and 2020. About one-third (32.1%) didn’t attend their first mammography screening.
Over roughly 6.8 million person-years of follow-up — meaning the researchers tracked hundreds of thousands of women over several decades – they found:
- 1,603 women died of breast cancer during the study period.
- Women who skipped their first mammogram had a 25-year breast-cancer mortality rate of 9.9 deaths per 1,000, compared with 7 deaths per 1,000 among those who were screened (a 1.4-times higher risk).
- Cancer incidence—how often breast cancer developed—was nearly the same in both groups (about 7.7%).
- The difference came down to stage at diagnosis: women who delayed breast cancer screening were far more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages (stage III or IV), when treatment is more difficult and survival odds are lower.
Early Breast Cancer Screening Behavior Matters
The study’s authors believe this higher mortality “likely reflects delayed detection rather than increased incidence.” Women who skipped their first mammogram were also less likely to return for later screenings, meaning cancers were often found only after symptoms appeared.
They described non-attendance at the first screening as an early warning sign—a predictor of avoidable deaths that healthcare systems could address with small, practical changes. Suggestions included automatically scheduling a follow-up appointment or providing quick phone coaching to answer questions and make screening easier to complete.
Mammography is the Strongest Defense Against Breast Cancer Death
Although the research was conducted in Sweden, its message applies everywhere: getting that first mammogram is critical. Early detection remains the strongest defense against breast cancer death, and regular screening saves lives.
Don’t Delay your Mammogram
If you’re approaching 40—or if you’ve never had a mammogram—this research is a powerful reminder not to delay. The first screening sets the tone for lifelong preventive care, and catching cancer early can make all the difference. You can schedule your mammogram today at Bergen Imaging Center right here in New Jersey.
Study Link: https://www.bmj.com/content/390/bmj-2025-085029