(Reuters) – The disparities in breast carcinoma survival rates in America could be reduced by up to half if Black women were screened every two years starting at 40. This is according to a Monday publication.

According to the research authors, Black women are less likely than white women to get breast cancer diagnosed.

According to the government-backed U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, (USPSTF), which has guidelines that are followed widely by policymakers and insurance companies as well as doctors, all women should have regular mammograms every two years beginning at 50. Women in their 40s must discuss their needs with their physicians if they feel the need for an earlier screening.

Researchers used a computer model for the study published in Annals of Internal Medicine to calculate the lifetime effects of screening digital mammography on women born in 1980 in different countries.

This model evaluated the potential benefits and harms of screening, including false-positive results which could cause unnecessary testing. The model used data on breast density, breast molecular subtypes and age at treatment to assess screening strategies.

This model is used to proxy racism, which partly accounts for disparities. The model considers factors such as accessibility, delay in treatment, dose reductions and termination of treatment.

According to the model, biennial mammograms of Black women beginning at 40 years old would decrease breast cancer deaths by 57% compared to white women. This study showed that the added risks of false positives in earlier screenings are offset by the advantages of early breast cancer detection.

The researchers calculate that if every woman in the country had a mammogram at 50, it would result in 14.3 deaths for each 1,000 women of white skin color, and 17.6 deaths for every 1,000 women of African descent. According to the study, if screening for Black women began at 40 years old, there would be 15.7 breast cancer deaths per 1000.

Mammography screening guidelines differ. According to the American Cancer Society, women with average risks should start annual mammography screenings at 45. However, they are encouraged to begin at 40. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that women receive mammography screening at age 40 and not later than 50.

In an email comment, Dr. Carol Mangione (Vice-chair, USPSTF) stated that black women should talk to their doctor about the best time to start getting screened. The data is insufficient to offer specific recommendations about different ethnic and racial populations, she said.

A companion editorial was published in the medical journal. The editor stated that although racism is not to be overlooked, categorizing patients in Black or non-Black might overlook genetic ancestry differences and sociodemographics.

In medicine, health inequalities can be seen everywhere. “If we want to eradicate inequality, then we need to study racism and race,” said Dr. David Jones (a Harvard University professor of medical ethics).