National group updates breast cancer screening guidelines

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An expert panel of doctors, who make up the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, have finalized new breast cancer screening recommendations for all women. Citing rising rates of breast cancer in younger women, the task force now advises all women to start screening for breast cancer once they turn 40. A move that local doctors say will save lives.

Dr. Ami Negandhi, an Albany oncologist, believes the small, one sentence change by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force will make a big difference in the lives of her patients. "We've been seeing about a two percent increase in diagnoses in women in their forties, so if we are able to pick up those cancers sooner and treat those women, we can save a lot of lives," said Dr. Negandhi.

The new guidance, published this week, recommends all women get screened for breast cancer every other year starting at 40, reversing their previous controversial recommendation that they begin at 50.

Dr. Negandhi explained, "I think the biggest gains we will see in this update in guidelines is going to be in our minority population. Biggest gain we will see is getting African American women between 40 and 50 to get their mammograms in a timely fashion."

Part of that starts with awareness and education, something Antonietta Rarick continually pushes as a patient who started getting screened in her 40s.

"I did test positive for a couple different mutations, so I now go every six months," Rarick said,

Her number one reason for following doctors orders and staying on top of her health is her kids.

"To me, it's a no brainer. I'm gonna go when they tell me to go. The technology, the education we have now, it's foolish not to go," she said.

Dr. Negandhi added, "There's no poking or prodding, no injections. It's pretty quick."

A painless process that could ultimately save more lives from one of the leading causes of cancer in women.

The recommendation applies to women with an average risk of breast cancer. If family history plays a role, or any other risk factors, have a conversation with your doctor. The new guidelines fall in line with the recommendations from the American Cancer Society.