In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) recommended against routine mammography in women in their 40’s, stating that such screening should be individualized to those at higher risk.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has previously recommended screening every 1-2 years for women in their 40’s, and now recommends annual mammography.

The recommendation was changed based on the relatively short time in this age group between when a mammogram detects a tumor to when the patient becomes symptomatic, and well as increased breast cancer incidence in this age group and the potential to lower breast cancer mortality if these women are screened more often.

I heartily agree with these recommendations, having evaluated numerous women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 40’s, who had not felt a lump and only the mammogram was indicative.

It should also be noted that the USPTF recommends against self-examination, stating that it leads to many false positives and thus unnecessary testing and worry. However, I disagree with those recommendations, again having evaluated numerous women who were diagnosed only when they felt a lump that had changed.