National health panel recommends mammograms start at 40 [Video]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is making major news when it comes to breast cancer prevention.

The Tuesday announcement made official a recommendation that women should start to receive mammograms at age 40 every two years, which is 10 years earlier than previous guidelines by the health panel.

SEE ALSO: Mammograms should start earlier amid rising breast cancer rates, panel says

News 2 spoke with Dr. Erika Hamilton, a medical oncologist for SCRI Oncology Partners, about the change and why it’s created confusion over the years.

“I think it’s been a little confusing over the years,” said Hamilton. “This is more in line with our other organizations, the CDC and the American College of Radiology that have been recommending mammograms at age 40 and yearly, but this is a big change from the previous recommendation of 50.”

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