Posted on Tue, Nov 17, 2009 : 9:48 a.m.
Mammograms should begin when women turn 50 — not 40, U.S. panel recommends
By Tina Reed
A federal panel recommended women only begin getting regular breast cancer screening with mammograms after they turn 50, overturning previous recommendations that women begin screenings at age 40, it was announced late Monday.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force also recommended against self breast exams, it was reported in the Detroit Free Press and CNN today.
The panel said while doctors should still recommend certain patients get earlier screening, starting at age age 40 for all patients can lead to high rates of false alarms and unnecessary procedures without greatly improving breast cancer survival rates.
The American Cancer Society opposes the recommendation, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Comments
Rosie
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 : 10:26 a.m.
I wasn't really doing a self-examination, but by accident in the shower one morning found a lump on my breast. I was only 28 at the time. Luckily it turned out to be a benign fibroadenoma, but if it had been something different and I hadn't happened upon it... I understand that is rather unlikely for younger woman to contract breast cancer but I believe it is still important for us to do self-examinations. If we wait until our forty's or fifty's to begin them it may be too late for some. Doing them often so that you can be familiar with any changes is what is so important about doing them, so the sooner we become comfortable with the practice the better. Maybe the mammograms are not needed until a later date, but I believe the first step, self-examination, is a must.