Doctor explains why mammograms should start at age 40
CBSN
Breast cancer screenings for women at average risk should be done every other year beginning at age 40, according to finalized guidance released Tuesday from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of national experts.
This means mammograms should start 10 years earlier than previously recommended. Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, explains the change comes after a couple concerning trends.
"We've seen an increase in breast cancer in women at a younger age, so about 10% of breast cancers are in women under the age of 45," Gounder said Wednesday on "CBS Mornings." "In addition, Black women in particular we're seeing younger ages at diagnosis of breast cancer, more aggressive breast cancer in Black women, and they're 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than White women. So really more aggressive breast cancer screening guidelines we're hoping will help address some of these issues."
