Evidence of Benefit from Mammography Screening of Average-Risk Women Ages 40-49 Years: Science, Metrics, and Value Judgments.

The majority of randomized control trials and service-based screening studies of women ages 40-49 years demonstrate reductions in mortality of 29%-48% when long-term outcome is assessed. Annual screening is preferable in these younger women due to faster tumor-doubling times. Advances in mammography technique and breast ultrasound may allow even better results in the future.