Though the latest recommendation by the American Cancer Society has pushed back the recommended age for women to undergo their first mammogram, a local oncologist says that the guideline is not applicable for everyone.

Before coming up with the latest guidelines, it was recommended that women should get their annual mammogram between the age of 45 and 49. And, once woman turns 50 then women should undergo annual mammogram every two years.

It was only last week that the American Cancer Society has suggested that women should start their annual mammograms at the age 45, pushing back the limit by 5 years, and once every two years from 55 years of age.

However, Dr. John J. Poggi of North Country Oncology-Hematology, 531 Washington St, has different opinion on it. As per John, every case is different and it is important to understand the case that ways.

Changes have been introduced in the guidelines due to new researches, medical literature. As per John, carrying out mammograms at an average age of 45 would do more harm than good. As per the Cancer Society, if mammograms are done among women younger than 45 years of age then chances of false positives and increased anxiety among patients is there.

John also said that there are different risk factors. “If you have a personal history of breast cancer; if there are genetic mutations or a strong family history in first-degree relatives such as mothers, sisters or daughters — all of these things need to be taken into consideration. I don’t think one size fits all here”, said John.