Worry and concern. Those the feelings for some after a new government breast cancer study says women in their 40s should not get mammograms, and breast cancer self exams have no value.

The new stats, released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, goes against what's been preached by the American Cancer Society for years.

Everyday is a struggle to survive for Patricia Sewell. "Living with cancer is not fun... period," says Sewell. That's why she's worried about new data saying women should wait to get mammograms. "To me that is really concerning because cancer does not wait, does not wait and if kind of ridiculous to think that every two years if you get it, 12 months after mammogram, you gave cancer the chance to grow in you and that is just a scary thought," says Sewell.

Scary for her and her family. Not only are she and her sister breast cancer survivors, but, sadly, her mother passed away from it.

"We know how devastating cancer can be. And if you can prevent and find it at an earlier stage, you will have a better chance have a quality of life and live longer," says Sewell.

"So, it's rather compelling data so it kind of makes sense that it's the right way to go but still a little concerning from a cancer physician stand point." says Jason Huff, M.D. with Penrose Cancer Center.

He feels some patients might fall through the cracks by waiting to get mammograms. "Ultimately the decision to screen on an annual basis needs to be a decision between a physician and a patient," says Dr. Huff.

"If you feel you need a mammogram ask your doctor for it because that might save your life," says Sewell. Dr. Huff says one thing to keep in mind is that this study was done only with patients with an average risk of breast cancer. So, no high risk patients were involved in this study. If you are at high risk for breast cancer, talk to your doctor about this study and your concerns. Your doctor may recommend you get mammograms starting at 40-years-old.

The American Cancer Society is also reacting to the study. It released this statement: "The American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40. Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF group did not consider. When recommendations are based on judgments about the balance of risks and benefits, reasonable experts can look at the same data and reach different conclusions."

To read more about the study, click on the link below.

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