Women should start getting screened for breast cancer at an earlier age, according to new guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The task force says women should get screened every other year starting at age 40 – ten years earlier than previous guidelines which recommended biennial screenings starting at age 50. The updated guidance comes as a result of new scientific evidence that shows the rate of breast cancer among women ages 40 to 49 has increased 2 per cent per year, on average, from 2015 to 2019, according to National Cancer Institute.

The task force estimated that the new recommendations could prevent at least one additional breast cancer death for every 1,000 women. "With our new recommendation, it saves 20 percent more lives across the board for all women," said Dr. Wanda Nicholson, the task force's vice chair. Research shows that mammograms have reduced breast cancer deaths by nearly 40 percent since 1990.

West Cancer Issues New Breast Screening GuidelinesThe task force estimated that the new recommendations could prevent at least one additional breast cancer death for every 1,000 women. "With our new recommendation, it saves 20 percent more lives across the board for all women," said Dr. Wanda Nicholson, the task force's vice chair. Research shows that mammograms have reduced breast cancer deaths by nearly 40 percent since 1990.