Jennifer Engels, M.D. is a diagnostic radiologist at Cooper Clinic. Listen to this podcast as Dr. Engels discusses new recommendations regarding mammograms from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

On November 17, 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued new recommendations on screening mammography.

The task force recommends that women who are considered “low risk for breast cancer” should start screening mammograms at age 50 instead of age 40, and they should be performed every other year instead of annually. The report further recommends that women 75 years of age and older should no longer be screened.

These new recommendations have caused controversy and outrage in the medical community. Cooper Clinic joins the American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, American Society of Breast Disease, and Mayo Clinic in issuing statements refuting these new recommendations.

Click here to read the full statement in Health Tips section of the web site.

For further reading on this issue, visit Medscape.com: Top Mammography Experts Voice Outrage Over New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations.  Please note, Medscape requires a user account (this is a free service) to view this article.