Navigating breast screening guidelines: What organizations should know

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women, yet many health plans struggle to ensure members receive timely, guideline-based screening. Conflicting recommendations from major organizations makes it challenging to provide clear, actionable support to members.¹

Individual risk factors—such as family history, genetic mutations (e.g., BRCA1/2), or dense breast tissue—further complicate screening guidance.²,³ These complexities affect more than clinical decisions—they directly influence member engagement, preventive care, and health outcomes.

Organizations that navigate these nuances effectively may improve early detection, reduce disparities, and support better long-term outcomes.⁴

Screening challenges for health plans

Health plans face multiple hurdles in supporting breast cancer screening:

  • Member education: Conflicting guidelines and individualized recommendations can confuse members about their risk and screening schedule.
  • Health disparities: Screening rates vary by race, age, income, and geography, resulting in unequal outcomes.
  • Competing priorities: Plans must balance cost management with performance metrics (HEDIS, STAR scores) while addressing population health goals.

How Ovia Health by Labcorp supports screening

Ovia Health by Labcorp delivers targeted solutions to help improve breast cancer screening adherence:

  • Risk education: Ovia provides educational resources about risk factors such as family history and breast density, as well as information about lifestyle changes that may help reduce risk.
  • 1:1 support: Health coaches help members understand risk factors and screening guidelines, support them as they make decisions with their healthcare providers, and provide touch points to encourage follow-through with screenings.
  • CareFinder: Advocates help members locate in-network women’s health providers, simplifying access and reducing barriers.

What this means for your organization

By combining personalized guidance, digital tools, and human support, Ovia helps health plans close screening gaps, improve adherence, and reduce costs associated with delayed diagnoses.

Helping members complete screenings on time and addressing disparities strengthens engagement, builds trust, and drives measurable improvements in quality metrics and outcomes.

References

  1. Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 2021;71(3):209–249.
  2. American Cancer Society. Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2023–2024. 2023.
  3. Kerlikowske K, Zhu W, Tosteson AN, et al. Outcomes of screening mammography by frequency, breast density, and postmenopausal hormone therapy. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2017;177(9):1280–1287.
  4. Bleyer A, Welch HG. Effect of three decades of screening mammography on breast-cancer incidence. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020;367:1998–2005.