Mammogram Recommendations May Change

Today, a task force of doctors assigned to reviewing the recommendations of a mammogram reported that a new standard should be:

Mammography after 50 years of age, done every two years. Self breast exams are useless.

This is different than the previous recommendation of mammography at age 40 and above and done every 1 - 2 years. Perform self breast exams often.

We recommend to continue at 40 (along with the Breast Cancer Society and American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology). Continue to perform breast exams often.

WHY? The taskforce said 1/1,000 mammography exams under 40 are positive with 475 false positives. This leads to unnecessary worries and biopsies.

Here is a our opinion: It is better to have a negative biopsy and worry, than not to have it done and have breast cancer. Please use caution with some medical advice and ensure it is supported by the appropriate literature and organizations.

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ!