Study Recommends Mammograms For Women Age 40 And Up

DENVER (CBS4)- Another study shows that it is important for women to get mammograms starting at age 40.

Researchers believe having a mammogram every year after age 40 could cut a woman's risk of dying from breast cancer by 70 percent.

CBS4's Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said this study is dramatically different from one released by a federal task force last fall, which stated most women don't need mammograms in their 40s and those in their 50s only need one every other year.

That recommendation concluded that frequent mammograms don't save lives, among other risks like radiation and false readings.

Now a new study looked at that exact same research and came to the opposite conclusion. Women should start yearly mammograms by age 40.

The American Cancer Society recommends starting mammograms at age 40 and continue every year.