Nevada Women Urged to Schedule Breast Cancer Screenings

Women aged 40 and older in Nevada should prioritize overdue mammograms to support early detection and long-term health outcomes.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cancer

Gouache-painted illustration featuring a balanced geometric form and curved volume, reflecting a serene and proactive approach to medical health screening. — Health officials are urging women in Nevada aged 40 and older to schedule mammograms, citing early detection as key to survival rates. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Are you up to date with your recommended breast cancer screenings?

Health officials are urging women across Nevada to prioritize breast cancer screenings as data shows nearly 30 percent of residents aged 40 and older are behind on routine exams. Early detection is a critical factor in long-term health, as breast cancer now accounts for 1 in 3 new cancer diagnoses in women.

Why it matters

Staying current on mammograms is a primary tool for early intervention, which helps push the five-year relative survival rate to 92 percent. Identifying abnormalities before they progress remains the most effective strategy for managing breast cancer risk.

Current state health data indicates that 30 percent of Nevada women aged 40 and older are behind on recommended screenings, while overall breast cancer accounts for 1 in 3 new cancer diagnoses in women. This baseline monitoring is essential given the 92 percent five-year relative survival rate.

The players

Sunrise Health System

A healthcare provider offering diagnostic imaging and mammography services throughout the Las Vegas area.

Southern Hills Hospital

A medical facility in Nevada that provides local access to breast cancer screening services.

The details

Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to create images of breast tissue, allowing radiologists to detect microcalcifications or masses that are too small to be felt during a physical exam. Federal guidelines suggest initiating these screenings at age 40, though women with a family history of the disease may need to begin 10 years before the age their relative was diagnosed. While incidence is rising in women under 35, standard screening protocols generally remain focused on higher-age cohorts.

Currently, nearly 30 percent of Nevada women are behind on routine breast cancer screenings.

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Health Landscape

Nevada's initiative follows the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force breast cancer screening guidelines, which establish the standard for when women should begin diagnostic imaging. This approach reflects a broader trend of emphasizing preventative checkups as the primary defense against increasing incidence rates.

If you are aged 40 or older and have not had a mammogram recently, contact your primary care physician to schedule an appointment. It is also worth discussing your personal family history with a doctor to determine if you need to start screening 10 years earlier than your relative's diagnosis age.

The takeaway

Early detection is the most significant factor in maintaining a 92 percent five-year survival rate for breast cancer. If you are behind on your screenings, use the Sunrise Health System website to find an appointment at a location like the Breast Center at Sunrise or Southern Hills Hospital.