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In 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force recommended against mammographic screening for women in their 40’s. Should women in their 40’s get mammograms?
And if they should get mammograms, how often?
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ThereseBeversMD (Physician - Family Medicine (Verified) ) - 06 / 27 / 2012
In 2009, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended against routine screening mammography in women aged 40-49 years. It was noted that the decision to perform screening mammography on women in this age group should be based on individual risk factors and specific harms and benefits. This met with immediate controversy as it interpreted that women in their 40’s should not be screened for breast cancer. The USPSTF has acknowledged that the wording was poor and could be misinterpreted. They noted that while that screening women in their 40s led to a 15% reduction in breast cancer mortality (deaths), harms associated with screening were seen. Based on this, the USPSTF had concerns that the benefits were outweighed by the risks (or harms) of mammographic screening.
Experts associated with breast cancer screening continue to recommend annual mammographic screening beginning at age 40. There is convincing evidence that mammographic screening reduces a woman's chance of dying from breast cancer by at least 15%. In fact, breast cancer death rates began to decline in the early 1990's, shortly after widespread mammographic screening was implemented, and have continued to this day. While there are risks associated with screening mammography, such as false positives that can result in unnecessary biopsies, it is felt that the benefit of fewer women dying from breast cancer far outweighs this potential harm.
As many as 70% of breast cancers diagnosed in women in their 40’s occur in women with no risk factors. By recommending that only women at increased risk of breast cancer in their 40’s get mammograms, as suggested by the USPSTF, the majority of breast cancers will not be detected at the earliest possible stage, when treatments are most effective. There is concern that eliminating mammograms for women in their 40’s will erode the progress that has been made in reducing the number of women who die from breast cancer.
Annual mammographic screening is recommended to begin at age 40 for average risk women, continuing as long as a woman is in good health. Women at increased risk of breast cancer may need to begin mammographic screening at an earlier age and may be considered for additional screening such as breast MRI.
Experts associated with breast cancer screening continue to recommend annual mammographic screening beginning at age 40. There is convincing evidence that mammographic screening reduces a woman's chance of dying from breast cancer by at least 15%. In fact, breast cancer death rates began to decline in the early 1990's, shortly after widespread mammographic screening was implemented, and have continued to this day. While there are risks associated with screening mammography, such as false positives that can result in unnecessary biopsies, it is felt that the benefit of fewer women dying from breast cancer far outweighs this potential harm.
As many as 70% of breast cancers diagnosed in women in their 40’s occur in women with no risk factors. By recommending that only women at increased risk of breast cancer in their 40’s get mammograms, as suggested by the USPSTF, the majority of breast cancers will not be detected at the earliest possible stage, when treatments are most effective. There is concern that eliminating mammograms for women in their 40’s will erode the progress that has been made in reducing the number of women who die from breast cancer.
Annual mammographic screening is recommended to begin at age 40 for average risk women, continuing as long as a woman is in good health. Women at increased risk of breast cancer may need to begin mammographic screening at an earlier age and may be considered for additional screening such as breast MRI.
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