Dr. Steven Goldberg, chair of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Old Bridge Medical Center and Raritan Bay Medical Center, highlighted that the updated guidelines represent a shift from previous recommendations, now advocating screenings to begin at age 40 instead of 50. This change is particularly vital for women with dense breast tissue, which can obscure cancer detection in traditional mammograms. Dr. Piti Subadar, chief of breast surgery for Hackensack Meridian Health Central Region, emphasized the advantages of 3D mammography, which offers a more detailed view and can improve detection rates and reduce false alarms.

The council also addressed the common myths associated with breast cancer risks. They clarified that while factors like family history and genetic mutations do increase risk, many women diagnosed with breast cancer have no family history. They reinforced the importance of understanding one’s own risk factors and the availability of advanced screening technologies such as MRIs and ultrasounds for those deemed high-risk.

Evelyn Fon, the lead mammography technologist at Old Bridge Medical Center, reassured women of the improved comfort and accuracy of modern mammograms. She noted that early detection considerably enhances survival rates.