(BlackDoctor.org) -- Getting a mammogram, or even remembering to do a breast self-exam once a month, can be stressful. For Black women, who are not only more susceptible to developing breast cancer at earlier ages, but are also at a higher risk of having malignant tumors misdiagnosed, the issue can create additional anxiety.

But now, thanks to their recently released list of recommended changes to long-standing breast cancer screening standards, a government panel of doctors and scientists called the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has succeed in taking the worry and anxiety that many women already feel to new levels. The task force’s findings state:

• Most women in their 40s should not routinely get mammograms.
• Women 50 to 74 should get a mammogram every other year until they turn 75, after which the risks and benefits are unknown.
• Breast self-exams do no good, and women shouldn't be taught to do them. Additionally, the value of breast exams by doctors is unknown.

In defense of the task force’s findings, Dr. Diana Petitti, vice chair of the panel stated that, “Essentially, early and frequent screenings often lead to false alarms and unneeded biopsies, without substantially improving women's odds of survival.”

Many physicians across the U.S. are adamantly rejecting the new findings. Dr. Regina Hampton, a noted breast surgeon and the founder of Signature Breast Care, a facility in Maryland that focuses on breast health, said that she and many other doctors are outraged and troubled by the information.

“It’s just irresponsible,” she said. “It’s interesting that none of the major oncologic and cancer organizations and practitioners were invited to help formulate these guidelines,” she said. “Now we’ve had many confused and frustrated patients calling. One patient in her forties was particularly angry – her screening last week revealed a malignant mass. She said, ‘If I’d paid attention to these new findings, I might not even have lived to see my 50th birthday.’”

Dr. Hampton also noted that these findings are potentially even more dangerous for African American women.

“Because Black women are historically at a higher risk of developing breast cancer at earlier age, I can definitely see the already high death rate of Black women with breast cancer increasing even more if findings like these are adopted,” she said.

Very fittingly, breast cancer survivors who were diagnosed at a young age have been particularly vocal critics of this new information.

"This just seems backwards and very wrong to me," said Surena Greene, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31 after finding a lump during a self-exam, and whose treatment included a mastectomy and chemotherapy. “It’s better to just be screened early and be safe than sorry.”

Along with doctors and their patients, well-established cancer awareness groups are also sharply challenging the new recommendations. Already, many have reiterated their positions on their websites and launched petition campaigns.

“I would unequivocally recommend screenings to any woman in her forties, and I don't know how the U.S. government or a panel of government officials can think they know better than the American Cancer Society,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, the chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Regina Hampton stated that, ultimately, many doctors and organizations fear that these new guidelines may encourage women to have a less vigilant attitude about breast cancer, and ignore a potentially fatal situation.

“Breast cancer can be a scary issue, and some women would just rather avoid screenings,” she said. “When these findings became public, I heard about many women cancelling their mammogram appointments. How many of those women could potentially have a mass that requires immediate treatment?”

Dr. Hampton also outlined her top four tips for continued breast health awareness:

• All women: Conduct consistent, monthly self-exams seven to ten days after the start of the menstrual cycle. For post-menopausal women, select one day of the month and consistently conduct a self-exam on that day.

• Women with no family history of breast cancer: Have a baseline mammogram screening at 35, then regular mammogram screenings every year after 40.

• Women with a family history of breast cancer:  Baseline mammogram 10 years before youngest member diagnosed with breast cancer.

• African American women under the age of 40 with a palpable breast mass:  Insist on getting evaluated with a mammogram or ultrasound. Seek out a breast specialist if necessary.

By Whitney Greer, BDO Editor

For more information about breast cancer, please visit: The American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org and the American Society of Breast Disease: www.asbd.org

BDO (http://BlackDoctor.org) is the World’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans.