New mammogram recommendations spark heated debate

The United States Preventive Services Task Force made radical new recommendations last week, suggesting a major change to the age and frequency women should receive mammograms to screen for breast cancer.

The task force, made up of a panel of independent experts, recommended women start screening at age 50 instead of age 40, as previously recommended.

It also said women should have mammograms less frequently – every two years, rather than every year, and said doctors should stop teaching women to perform self breast exams.

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