Mammogram guidelines expanded

Mammograms have been a source of controversy and confusion for years.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- All women over age 40 should get a mammogram every one to two years, the government said Thursday, updating guidelines that previously recommended such testing for women over 50.

"I think this is important because until now the task force has been reluctant to make that recommendation for women in the younger age group," said Dr. Stephen Sener, a breast surgeon at Northwestern University who is also a board member of the American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society has recommended screening mammography for all women over age 40 since 1997. The updated government recommendation comes from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which is comprised of primary care physicians.

"The federal government makes a clear recommendation to women on mammography: If you are 40 or older, get screened for breast cancer with mammography every one to two years," HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson told a news conference.

"While developing technology certainly holds the promise for new detection and treatment methods, mammography remains a strong and important tool in the early detection of breast cancer. The early detection of breast cancer can save lives."

The government's recommendation comes at a critical time. A recent European study questioning the value of screening mammography has caused considerable confusion among women and physicians.

"In recent months I've even had women who have been treated for breast cancer ask if they should get mammography," said Sener. "They're confused; doctors are confused. So we have to provide them with a clear message. Stepping away from mammography would set back the advances we've made."

Sener said between 1995 and 1998 deaths from breast cancer decreased almost 3 1/2 percent per year. Between 1989 and 1990, breast cancer deaths decreased 1 1/2-percent per year.

"So, there's been an escalating decrease in breast cancer deaths. Why is that? Two reasons: women and physicians are accepting mammography screening and we have better treatment," said Sener.

Doctors agree mammography is not a perfect tool since it can miss cancer in 10 to 15 percent of cases and it can also show cancer in healthy women, which is known as a false-positive result. Falso positives can cause undue anxiety and excess costs for additional tests.