New Study Recommends Breast Cancer Screening Starting at Age 25--Should You Get Tested?

As we talk about breast cancer prevention this month, a new study indicates that lives could be saved if more women got screened for breast cancer starting at age 25. Should you?

The whole topic of to screen or not to screen for breast cancer has been widely debated in past months. In fact, the guidelines changed entirely, and it's been a controversial subject in the health world.

And now, a new study indicates that death rates can be lowered if a certain population of women starts getting screened, via mammograms and MRIs, as early as age 25.

Should you rush out to get checked? Probably not, say most health experts, unless you have a family history of breast cancer or know for a fact that you've tested positive for the gene mutations BRCA1 and BRCA2. Still, it's worth talking to your doctor about, regardless, and this is also a good reminder to be "aware" of your breasts and any changes from month to month. For instance, I recently noticed a lump that wasn't there last week, so I'm going to watch it and see if I need to go in for a check (at age 33!)

Saturday, October 8, 2011 by For Her · 0