Experts in evidence-based medicine are now recommending women get mammograms every other year starting at 40 years old, which is 10 years earlier than before.
The United States Preventative Service Task Forces recently updated their guidelines for breast cancer screenings.
According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer-related deaths dropped 42% between 1989 and 2021, thanks to breast cancer screening and improved treatments.
Doctors believe the most the lives saved from screening are when women go starting at 40 years old.
Dr. Laura Dean, a breast imaging radiologist for Cleveland Clinic, tells patients the sooner the better. While 40 is the recommended age to start mammograms, some women may need to get theirs before then. One reason could be if they have a family history of breast cancer.
The United States Preventative Service Task Forces also addressed supplemental screenings like MRIs and ultrasounds for women with dense breast tissue. Dr. Dean says while those individuals may benefit from supplemental screenings, the task force found there is not strong enough evidence currently to recommend them.
Any questions, concerns and decisions should be made with a physician. Whether a person is at an increased risk or not, doctors remind others anyone can get breast cancer.
Breast cancer remains the most common cancer for women in the United States, except for skin cancers. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death for women.
Doctors believe Women should continue to get screened until age 74.
Source: WAVE
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