A new MedStar Health survey shows that women are concerned about breast health but are not doing enough to protect themselves.
The study found that 76% of women are worried about the health of their breasts, but 64% of females over 40 do not follow the recommended guidelines of getting a mammogram every year.
Chief of Breast Imaging at MedStar Health Dr. Judy Song says that statistic is alarming.
"The bottom line is that we know screening mammograms work," Song says. "They decrease breast cancer mortality or deaths from breast cancer by up to 40%. We know that they are highly effective in decreasing breast cancer deaths when you start at the age of 40."
Song says another study shows the reduction of death from breast cancer is over 20% if you are screened at the age of 40 versus others who had not been screened between the ages of 40 and 50.