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During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, findings from The Harris Poll for Hologic highlight a critical gap: even when women are advised to get screened, many still delay or skip mammograms due to misconceptions about risk, pain, and timing.
Our survey of 1,123 women in the U.S. found that nearly half (48%) who were recommended a mammogram have postponed or avoided it, despite breast cancer being the most common cancer among women and carrying a 99% survival rate when caught early.
Myths That Delay Detection
Time and fear remain the biggest barriers. About one in five women who delay screening say they didn’t have time (23%) or were concerned it would be painful (19%). While mammograms can be briefly uncomfortable, the exam typically takes less than half an hour. By contrast, a late-stage diagnosis can mean months of complex, life-altering treatment.
Equally concerning are persistent misconceptions about breast density, a key risk factor. Nearly two-thirds of women (66%) are unaware that dense breast tissue increases cancer risk, and most do not realize it cannot be detected by feel. Density can only be seen through imaging, making mammograms—particularly 3D mammography—essential for accurate detection.
Screening Knowledge Gaps Persist
The data also shows widespread confusion about when to begin screening. More than one in four women (27%) do not know that yearly mammograms should begin at age 40 for those at average risk. Nearly one in five (19%) are unaware that women under 40 can also develop breast cancer, even though about 10% of new cases occur before age 45. These knowledge gaps can cost precious time in detecting the disease early, when treatment success rates are highest.
Education Is the Best Prevention
To help close these gaps, Hologic’s #BustTheMyth campaign aims to replace fear with understanding. The initiative uses relatable messaging, educational materials, and real patient voices to demystify the mammogram experience and highlight the lifesaving value of early detection. As noted by Steve MacMillan, Hologic’s Chairman, President, and CEO: “Equally important to developing innovative technologies is educating patients and encouraging them to get screened.”
About the research
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Hologic from May 20–22, 2025, among 1,123 women ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the data is accurate to within ±3.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Learn more about Hologic’s #BustTheMyth campaign and access screening resources.
