'To have technology and not take advantage of it would be a real loss'
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- New mammogram recommendations are raising questions and concerns for doctors and women.
For the last two decades, the government has advised women to start getting mammograms when they turn 40.
A mammogram spotted cancer in both breasts of 42-year-old Jessica Moser. Her doctors said her chance of survival increased because the disease was found early.
"It saved my life," said Moser.
Now, a government panel of experts is changing breast screening guidelines.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force does not recommend routine mammograms for women 40 to 49. Instead, the task force recommends screenings every other year for women 50 to 74. They also say self-breast exams have no value.
"I think one of the more radical things they say is stop self-examination," said Dr. Jon Ekstrom, a radiologist with Oregon Imaging Centers. "We see woman after woman after woman come in here and say, 'hey doc, I felt this lump. I'm concerned about it.' And those things I think are important."
Ekstrom says early detection is key to fighting most cancers.
"To ignore that, means women will be taught or advised to ignore cancer," said Ekstrom.
The task force cited several harms from breast cancer screenings including unnecessary imaging tests and biopsies, more false-positive results, unnecessary early treatment and radiation exposure.
Ekstrom says this year, 29 women ages 40 to 49 were diagnosed with cancer after screenings at the center on the RiverBend campus in Springfield.
"One of my concerns is their policy could be economically motivated," said Ekstrom.
Statistically, cancer is spotted in a greater number of women over the age of 50, making Ekstrom wonder if the new guidelines relate to saving money instead of human life.
"So that means to me, yeah we're still saving lives, but maybe it's just too expensive to save those lives and that becomes a very philosophical, economically driven decision," said Ekstrom.
It's still unclear if the new guidelines will impact insurance reimbursement for mammograms.
Whatever the outcome, Moser says younger women should have mammograms.
"To have the technology and to not take advantage of it would be a real loss," said Moser.
CBS News contributed to this report
