Breast Cancer Exams Unreliable?

MINNEAPOLIS - New recommendations from a government task force say women should wait longer to do breast cancer screenings. The guidelines were released by the US Preventive Services Task Force. The government panel of doctors and scientist says most women don’t need mammograms in their 40’s and should instead of wait to do them every other year once they turn 50.

The task force adds self breast exams don’t do any good.

The American Cancer Society disagrees with the findings. A spokesman from the American Cancer Society says they will continue to recommend women start getting annual mammograms to screen from breast cancer at age 40.

Jane Burgess took her doctor’s and the American Cancer Societies advice. She had her first mammogram at age 40. At age 45 the x-ray found what was later confirmed to be breast cancer. Burgess believes her mammogram saved her life. Burgess has now been cancer free for three years.

For more information on the government task force new advice:
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm

The American Cancer Society’s response:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MED/content/MED_2_1x_American_Cancer_Society_Responds_to_Changes_to_USPSTF_Mammography_Guidelines.asp