Health task force lowers recommended age for mammograms to 40 - this is when ... trends now
A US medical taskforce last week lowered the age at which women are recommended to be screened for breast cancer — from 50 to 40.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) said women with an average risk of breast cancer - determined by your doctor based on genetics and lifestyle - should get a mammogram every other year beginning at 40 years old and continuing through 74.
Women at higher risk because of genetics or certain health history should discuss options with their doctor, which remains unchanged from previous guidance.
Previously, the medical group said the only women under 50 who should be routinely screened are those with a high genetic risk.
The change is in response to a rise in early-onset breast cancer cases - those diagnosed in women younger than 50 years old, which has been linked to poor nutrition, obesity and exposure to toxic substances.
Breast cancer accounts for about 30 percent of all new female cancers per year (stock image)
It is not clear yet if health insurance carriers will universally cover the screening because of the updated guidelines and coverage usually varies woman-to-woman and policy-to-policy.
Out of pocket costs for a mammogram can range from $140 to $300.
Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, said she encourages women to be aware of the new guidelines and discuss them with their doctor, noting the update only applies to women at average risk of the cancer.
Dr Wen told CNN: 'In recent years, there has been a disturbing trend of cancer diagnoses increasing among young people. This is the case with colon cancer as well as with breast cancer.
'I would encourage woman to be aware of this updated guidance and discuss it with their physicians.'
A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breasts used to detect and diagnose breast cancer in women.
It uses low-dose x-rays to obtain an image of the inside of the breasts to look for masses or other
