The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released a controversial report stating that mammograms aren’t needed until the age of 50 in most women. Not only have they postponed the recommended age, they also announced that a mammogram every other year is more appropriate than annually.
USA Today has reported that, “Younger women have a much higher risk of being harmed from the tests. That’s not because the procedures themselves are dangerous, although they can be painful and do expose women to low levels of radiation. Instead, women are at risk from false alarms, also known as “false positives,” which occur when mammograms produce suspicious findings in women who are really cancer-free. These women may experience additional pain, expense and worry because of additional scans and biopsies.”
If you are unsure about when is an appropriate time for you to receive a mammogram, find doctors in your area to discuss your concerns.
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