2023-05-09 18:08:01
WASHINGTON (AP) — Women should start getting mammograms every two years at age 40 instead of waiting until age 50, according to a paper being worked on by a group of specialists in the United States.
America’s Preventive Services Team has long said women can choose to start breast cancer screening at age 40, with a stronger recommendation that they get X-rays every two years. from 50 to 74 years.
Tuesday’s update would mark a change in the influential panel’s guidelines, though it is unlikely to end the confusion. Other health groups differ on when and how often to test.
“This new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying from breast cancer,” said former task force chair Dr. Carol Mangione.
The group noted that black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, making mammograms at age 40 an especially important step, but also urged more research to better understand and combat disparity.
The group also noted that nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which means mammograms might not work as well, and called for more research to see if other types of tests would help.
The recommendation would apply to women with an average risk of breast cancer, but not to those with a very high risk due to certain genetic or other factors. The draft is open for public comment until June 5, following which the working group will decide whether to finalize it.
While cancer deaths have been declining for years, breast cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death among American women, following lung cancer.
The American Cancer Society says that women ages 45 to 54 should have mammograms every year, but they can choose to start at 40 and then at 55, they can choose to switch to every other year.
The American College of Radiology recommends annual mammograms starting at age 40 for women at average risk of breast cancer, but urges that younger women be screened for risk factors that require even earlier detection.
___ The Associated Press Department of Health and Science receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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