Bangalore: A recent study by the US preventive services task force suggests that women should go in for regular screening for breast cancer only after 50, as opposed to the long-standing guidelines that say 40 is the right age to start the same.

However, city oncologists have negated this recommendation, stating that an increasing number of young women are falling victim to this disease. Doctors said that 40% of breast cancer patients in Bangalore are below 50 years of age.

According to Dr BS Ajai Kumar, oncologist, chairman and CEO, HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd, while those with no family history of breast cancer can start screening for the disease post 45 years, those with such a family history must undergo mammogram after 40. "Those who have a multiple family history of breast cancer should start even earlier, say by 35. However, they can get screened once in two years," he said.

One in every 14 women face the risk of developing breast cancer. Globally, incidences of breast cancer are 25 to 30 per thousand population. And the latest Indian statistics reveal that one in every 22 women develop breast cancer. "Incidences of breast cancer is more in urban India. A recent study shows that one in every 12 women in the cities develops breast cancer, with 40% of them being below 45 years of age," said Dr Ajai.

However, the US task force's recommendations are more to reduce the harm from over-treatment. They also state that women between the ages of 50 and 74 should get mammograms done once in two years, rather than the general practice of annual screening. "The US group is concerned about the high number of false positive cases. If digital mammogram is followed, risk of false positive cases is rare," said Dr Ajai.