WASHINGTON — Women should start getting every-other-year mammograms at age 40 instead of waiting until 50, according to a draft recommendation from a federal task force.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has long said women can choose to start breast cancer screening as young as 40, with a stronger recommendation that they get the X-ray exams every two years from age 50 through 74.
Tuesday’s update -– if the draft proposal is finalized -– would mark a shift in the influential panel’s guidelines, although it's not likely to end confusion. Other health groups differ over when and how often to screen.
“This new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying due to breast cancer,” said former task force chair Dr. Carol Mangione.
The task force noted that Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, making mammograms at 40 an especially important step -– but also urged more research to better understand and combat the disparity.
The task force also noted that nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which means mammograms may not work as well and called for more research into whether additional types of testing would help.
The draft recommendation applies to women at average risk of breast cancer but not those at very high risk due to certain genetic or other factors. It is open for public comment through June 5, after which the task force will decide whether to finalize it.
While cancer deaths have been declining for years, breast cancer remains the second leading cancer killer of U.S. women, behind lung cancer.
Health organizations have long had different screening recommendations, seeking to balance catching breast cancer early while avoiding too many false alarms when the X-rays spot non-cancerous blips.
The American Cancer Society says women ages 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year -– but can choose to start at 40 and then at 55, can choose to switch to every other year.
The American College of Radiology recommends annual mammograms starting at 40 for women at average risk of breast cancer -– but urges that young women get assessed for risk factors that require even earlier screening.
ABC Action News Anchor Lauren St Germain spoke with Dr. Bethany Niell at Moffitt Cancer Center about these new guidelines.
They also discussed the main reasons some women do not get screening mammograms. Niell said the two main reasons are women do not think they need them because they are not high risk and cost if they do not have insurance.
For women who are concerned about cost, there are programs to help get low-cost or free mammograms.
Moffitt’s Mammogram Screening access program is available through the COEE (Office of Community Outreach Engagement and Equity). This program is open to women in Hillsborough County who meet certain qualifications. To learn more about the program and see if you qualify, call 1-888-663-3488 or email COEE-Office@moffitt.org
There is also a program through the Florida Department of Health called the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. This program is open to Florida residents and includes screening exams, and covers treatment after a positive biopsy. To learn more about the program and see if you qualify, call 813-307-8082.
