Revised mammogram guidelines, competing headlines and providers who offer varying recommendations have left many women wondering how to best manage their breast health. Cedars-Sinai surgical oncologist and breast cancer risk-assessment specialist Nimmi Kapoor, MD, clears up the confusion.

The American Cancer Society changed guidelines for mammograms in 2015 to recommend that women start the scans annually no later than age 45. After age 55, some women can switch to getting tested every other year. The guidelines reflect concern that earlier screening can lead to false positives, anxiety, unnecessary tests and overtreatment of cancers that would never become life-threatening.

“Studies show that starting screening at 40 prevents deaths,” Kapoor says. “Don’t be scared of finding something alarming. Instead, work with your doctor to make sure you’re not overtreated.” Less invasive measures can be tailored to fit women who aren’t at high risk for an aggressive form of cancer.

“There is no such thing as one size fits all,” Kapoor says. Factors from age and ethnicity to hormone usage and menstrual history all impact a woman’s odds of getting breast cancer. “We have computer programs that sort out dozens of factors to calculate risk,” she says. Understanding your personal risk will help guide decisions about the best screening plan for you.

Additional American Cancer Society screening guidelines for those at average risk: