Thursday, November 19, 2009

A member of the panel whose new mammogram recommendations have led to confusion is defending the task force's report.

Dr. Timothy Wilt, a member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, stuck by its recommendation that most women don't need mammograms in their 40s and should get one every two years starting at 50. The American Cancer Society's long-standing position has been that women should get cancer-screening mammograms starting at age 40.

Appearing Thursday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Wilt said the report was based on "up-to-date, accurate information about the evidence about the harms and benefits of treatment."

He said each woman still needs to talk with her doctor to make the most informed decision.