The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says women don’t need a mammogram until they’re 50 and then every two years until they’re 75 – breaking from a 20 year policy
A government task force is breaking with long-standing breast exam recommendations and saying self-exams do no good.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says women don’t need a mammogram until they’re 50 and then every two years until they’re 75 – breaking from a 20 year policy that recommends annual mammograms at age 40. The task force also says doctors should stop teaching women to do self breast exams. They say “overtreatment” is driving the recommendations. Radiologist Peter Taylor says he’s not sure if it’s the right call – and that women need to do what makes them comfortable.
“Even though I think they might not need it, I don’t want someone to have reduced quality of life. If it’ll make you feel better to get the study done, it might be the right thing to do,” Taylor said.
Doctors say the recommendations do not apply for women who have a family history of breast cancer.
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