Task force opposes routine mammograms for women age 40-49

by nehalarya | November 16, 2009 at 11:45 pm

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Women in their 40s should not get routine mammograms for early detection of breast cancer, according to updated guidelines set forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Before having a mammogram, women ages 40 to 49 should talk to their doctors about the risks and benefits of the test, and then decide if they want to be screened, according to the task force.

For women ages 50 to 74, it recommends routine mammography screenings every two years. Risks and benefits for women age 75 and above are unknown, it said.

The group's previous recommendation was for routine screenings every year or two for women age 40 and older.

Mammograms tend to detect a very early form of breast cancer known as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which may never become life-threatening, the panel noted. Nevertheless, a DCIS diagnosis leads to lumpectomies, mastectomies, radiation and chemotherapy. Mammograms can also miss some cancers, falsely reassuring women, the panel noted.

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