Recommendations on the timing of mammograms-when and how often women should get mammograms to detect breast cancer-have been confusing, contradictory and controversial.
When Should Women Start Getting Regular Mammograms?
Starting regular screening at age 40, as recommended by the American Cancer Society, risks finding “false positives” in women who don’t really have breast cancer. Waiting until age 50 to begin regular mammograms poses the risk of possibly missing a cancer in a younger woman.
Doctor Group Adds Its Opinion on Best Timing of Mammograms
The American College of Physicians has just endorsed 50 as the usual starting age for breast cancer screening with mammograms every other year. The organization said that younger women should be fully informed of the risks and benefits so they can participate in decisions on the timing of mammograms.
