October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spread information and encourage women to take responsibility in their breast health.

The American Cancer Society has released some new breast cancer screening guidelines that are drawing some criticism.

These guidelines recommend that women get mammograms later and actually skip some of their routine breast checks from their doctors.

The association says annual mammograms should start at age 40 to 45. They also say women can skip manual breast checks by their doctors and women over 55 years old only need mammograms every other year.

In terms of the recommended ages for mammograms, the American College of OB/GYN's recommends age 40, the American Cancer Society recommends age 45 and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommends age 50.

Officials from the Cancer Society say this change in guidelines is partly to prevent a large number of false positives.

The association also says that these are just guidelines and people who feel they need a mammogram or exam should do so.