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There are new government recommendations when it comes to mammograms. The rule used to be to start getting mammograms at 40, get them every year, and do self-exams in between. But now the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is saying that mammograms at age 40 should not be routine. According to the USPSTF, women who are not at an increased risk of breast cancer should wait until they're 50, get mammograms every other year, and not bother with self-exams.

Some support this change saying a lot of lumps are normal, yet women often panic when they find one. So self-exams cause more stress than they're worth. They also argue that the mammogram machine may actually cause cancer because of the radiation. The National Breast Cancer Coalition and the National Women's Health Network seem to support the new recommendations.

Others strongly oppose the new recommendations saying that routine screening saves lives, and the earlier cancer is detected the better. Some fear that, because of the new recommendations, health insurance companies may decide to not cover mammograms in women under 40. Many believe these new recommendations are simply an attempt to cut health care costs even if it's at the cost of some lives. The American Cancer Society and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that they are still going to go by the old recommendations.

Since doctors don't even agree on what we should be doing right now, a lot of people are feeling scared and confused. A lot of women in their 40s are wondering whether they should make the appointment or not. For anyone who is unsure, I'd recommend doing some research and talking to a doctor. If the doctor rushes or doesn't discuss it with you fully, feel free to visit another. Personally, I'm leaning slightly more to the side of caution for now. If I were 40 right now, I'd probably opt for the mammogram every two or three years.

If you want to read more, check out these sites:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/11/16/mammography.recommendation.changes/index.html

http://health.usnews.com/blogs/on-women/2009/11/17/women-in-their-40s-ponder-whether-to-skip-the-mammogram.html

or go to www.GoodSearch.com and do a search for something like "mammogram changes." Although these recommendations are new, they're getting a lot of attention and causing a lot of debate, so there are plenty of articles on the subject already.