So for us to even conceptualize that cancer is, to a large extent, preventable is an enormous step forward. Not long ago, the National Cancer Institute had concluded that there was no evidence that the screenings significantly reduced the number of deaths in women under 50. But after reviewing more recent evidence, they concluded that women in their forties, who are at average risk for cancer, should get a mammogram every one to two years. The vast majority of doctors working in the real world still believe that women should be getting annual mammograms beginning at age 40. The number of lives we could save is certainly worth it.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for women in their forties to midfifties.
But mammograms may often make it possible to spot a small cancer about one year or more before a women in her forties or her doctor could detect it with a manual exam, Dr. Feig says. That's important because when breast cancer is detected and treated early enough, it's curable in about 97 percent of all cases. Swedish researchers have found that regular mammograms beginning at age 39 can lower a woman's risk of dying from the disease by up to 44 percent. Early detection also increases the likelihood that cancer will be limited to one small well-defined lump, which can be successfully treated without removing the breast. So if you are 40 and have no family history of breast cancer before menopause, begin scheduling annual mammograms now, Dr. Feig urges.