U.S. Health Panel Issues Mammogram Recommendation

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal task force is recommending that women start getting every-other-year mammograms at age 40 instead of waiting until 50. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has long said women can choose to start breast cancer screening as young as 40 but until now has made a stronger recommendation for the X-ray exams every two years between ages 50 and 74. Tuesday’s draft recommendation, if finalized, won’t settle the issue. Other health groups have differing guidelines for when women should start routine screening and whether they need it annually or every other year.