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New guidelines call for African-American women to get mammograms at 30

A new recommendation by the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging says African-American women are at high-risk for breast cancer and should be screened earlier than the recommended age now; 10 years earlier.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- We hear all the time: "Get your mammogram starting at age 40." But if you're African-American, you may need to start at age 30.

A new recommendation by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SCI) says African-American women are at high-risk for breast cancer and should be screened earlier than the recommended age now; 10 years earlier.

The groups are the first to recognize African-American women need to be evaluated earlier in light of a higher risk of breast cancer.

What's the higher risk?

African-American women are 42 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women, despite roughly equal incidence rates, according to studies.

Plus, African-American women have a two-fold higher risk of triple-negative breast cancer, which is a very aggressive form.

If you're African-American, the groups suggest you ask your doctor about this new recommendation.

Click here to read the report.

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