The benefits of screening mammograms may outweigh the harms for women in their 40's if they have certain risk factors for breast cancer.
There has been a long debate whether women in their 40's should get mammograms -- due to the large number of false positives that lead to unnecessary anxiety and expensive procedures.
A new Georgetown University study found women age 40 to 49 may benefit from mammograms if they have extremely dense breasts or a close relative with breast cancer.
Researchers say even these women only need a mammogram every other year.
But they say the decision of when to start screening and how often should ultimately be made by women and their doctors.
