AUGUSTA, Ga. - The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is now saying women in their 40s don't need to get routine mammograms for early detection of breast cancer if they're not at risk.

"I think the guidelines we have now have shown to be a benefit and so we disagree with any change in the guidelines," said Dr. Marion Wier with University Hospital.

"This is not about whether to be screened. It's about how often to be screened," said Dr. Diana Petitti with the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Current guidelines suggest women start getting mammograms at 40. The new guidelines say something different.

If you're between 40 and 49 years old, you should not be routinely screened unless you're at risk for breast cancer.

Women ages 50 to 74 should be screened every two years.

Dr. Marion Wier at University Hospital disagrees and says the sooner you know you have cancer, the better the odds.

"We're all about trying to find small cancers, those cancers that would be potentially cured, so early detection is when we usually find the smaller legions," said Marion.

Sherry Scott was diagnosed with stage two cancer last year at the age of 47.

"I shudder to think where I'd be in two more years without the diagnosis and mine was only from a mammogram," said Scott.

Scott says she knows women who've been diagnosed before the age of 40.

"I have a friend who has a daughter-in-law who was diagnosed at 35 so I would also shudder to think where she would be at age 50," said Scott.

But the task force says women who are younger have denser breasts and screening can be unreliable, leading to false positives and unnecessary biopsies.

Doctors say if you're confused about the guidelines, consult your doctor.

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