DENVER -- New controversial mammogram guidelines have some people worried that insurance companies won't cover them for people 49 and younger.

For the first time in 20 years, a government panel told women in their 40s to stop getting routine exams.

The United States Preventive Task Force said the benefits do not outweigh the harms and risks.

Hollen Ferrendelli, 40, is a five-year cancer survivor who said she is appalled by the study and only received a mammogram after pressing her doctor for one. The results weren't good.

"Nearly two thirds of my breast were covered by a tumor," said Ferrendelli.

Ferrendelli said the mammogram saved her life. She said the exam was covered by insurance, but she worried these new guidelines would convince insurance companies not to cover them.

"I am concerned about any number of women who are under the age of 50 who wouldn't even have access to go and have that basic screening tool. It doesn't make any sense to me," said Ferrendelli.

Michelle Ostrander, executive director for Denver's Susan B. Komen organization, said she had similiar concerns.

"There is certainly a concern this task force is not a regulatory agency but Medicaid and other government health programs do look to the recommendations for what they will cover and private insurance companies often follow," said Ostrander.

7NEWS contacted several insurance agencies who said they would continue to cover mammograms for people 40 and older but also said they were reviewing the new recommendations.