Women who miss their first screening appointment for breast cancer could have a 40% higher long-term risk of dying from the disease, according to a new study.

The research, published in September in the journal The BMJ , involved more than 400,000 women in Sweden who were monitored for up to 25 years.

When should women begin screening for breast cancer, and why could delayed initial screening result in a higher longer-term risk of cancer death? In addition to mammograms, are there other tests that women should ask for? What about breast self-exams? And what are steps women can take to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer?

Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and adjunct associate professor at George Washington University, weighed in on these questions

Q: How common is breas

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