Changes in guidelines for breast cancer screenings are being called shocking by breast cancer survivors and doctors alike. The US Preventive Services Task Force says it doesn't recommend routine mammograms for women between the ages of 40 and 49. The task force states false positives and unnecessary biopsies as reasons for its change in guidelines and adds that screening in younger women is not effective. CBS 21 news talked to one medical expert today who says she strongly disagrees. "I think it was an irresponsible statement. And I think that it doesn't.. it's not made very clear to the population that this is not a study that reflects the known data that we have from the last 20 years," said Dr. Susan Schetter from Penn State Hershey Medical Center. In addition to the mammograms finding, the task force also says it doesn't have any evidence that self breast exams save lives. The American Cancer Society rejects the changes and still recommends women ages 40 and up of average risk, get yearly mammograms.
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