A US public health advisory panel recommended Tuesday that women begin mammograms at age 40, rather than 50 as previously recommended, a change that experts say could save thousands of lives.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, whose recommendations are widely followed, urges women to undergo this screening test, which aims to detect breast cancer, every two years starting at age 40.
According to the organization, lowering the screening age to 40 would save 19% more lives than those saved with 50 as the minimum age for mammography.
Breast cancer is the second most deadly cancer among women in the United States.
"Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, and are often affected by fatal cancers at an earlier age," the task force said in its statement.
Previously, women between the ages of 40 and 50 were asked to decide individually whether to have a mammogram, based on their medical background and preferences.
The new US recommendations apply to all women at average risk of developing the disease, including women with a family history of breast cancer or women with high breast fat density.
"We know that women with dense breasts with fatty membranes are at increased risk of breast cancer, and unfortunately mammography does not provide effective results for these women," said John Wong, a member of the panel, in the statement.
"What we don't know yet is whether further testing of this group will be helpful, and how that will happen," he added.
The new recommendations are not final, as they are initially subject to a period of public discussion.
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