A national advisory panel has reduced the recommended age for breast cancer screening, suggesting women get their first mammogram at age 40 instead of 50 and continue every other year until age 74.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation comes as more women are being diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age. It is a reversal of the panel’s previous recommendation suggesting women make an individual choice about getting a mammogram between ages 40 and 49. The recommendation applies to women at average risk of breast cancer, as well as those with a family history of breast cancer and those with dense breasts.
