A new study suggests that women who have a higher risk of developing breast cancer may want to begin annual mammogram screening at age 30.
Women with dense breasts, with either or a personal or family history of breast cancer would benefit the most from the early screening, according to the study conducted by researchers at NYU Langone Health.
Researchers in New York studied data from more than 5 million mammograms performed on more than 2 million women over an eight-year period.
Younger women with at least one of the risk factors had similar cancer detection rates when compared to those in their early- to mid-40s who were at average risk.
The American Cancer Society recommends that women should get the option to get a mammogram beginning at 40, and those at average risk should be screened beginning at 45.
The study was presented Wednesday at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
