Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - There is currently a great deal of confusion in regards to when women should start getting mammograms to test for breast cancer.

Just recently, a report came out by the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force in regards to mammogram guidelines. For years, the belief has been that once women reach the age of 40, they should start getting regular mammograms. This new report is changing that though.

The new report states that women should not start getting mammograms until they are over the age of 50.

They also do not want women getting monthly mammograms, as the report states that the frequency of the exams needs to be reduced considerably.

So what are women to do? This has left women all across the U.S. extremely confused.

Many doctors have come out and stated that they do not believe this change is a good one. They believe that women should still start getting mammograms once they hit the age of 40.

Experts have been extremely opposed to these recommendations, as they fear it could lead to less testing, meaning fewer cases of breast cancer being detected in time for them to be treated.

Critics also are under the belief that this could be one way to help cut health care costs in the U.S. in regards to the new health care bill.

Breast cancer kills over 40,000 women in the U.S. each year, another reason why there has been such an uproar in regards to these new guidelines.

We surely need some clarity, and the U.S. government will likely deliver it soon.