women have annual mammograms starting at the age of 50, but a new study
reveals women should begin having these by age 40.
This landmark study is published
online in Cancer and has proven that yearly mammography screenings for
women ages 40 -49 reduces the breast cancer death in women of this age
range by nearly 30 percent.
“This
study, which looked at the performance of screening mammography as it
is actually used, rather than relying on mathematical modeling, shows
without a doubt that mammography decreases deaths from breast cancer in
women aged 40-49 by nearly one third. There is no excuse not to
recommend that average risk women begin annual screening mammography at
age 40,” said Carol H. Lee, MD, Chair of the American College of
Radiology Breast Imaging Commission.
study, which looked at the performance of screening mammography as it
is actually used, rather than relying on mathematical modeling, shows
without a doubt that mammography decreases deaths from breast cancer in
women aged 40-49 by nearly one third. There is no excuse not to
recommend that average risk women begin annual screening mammography at
age 40,” said Carol H. Lee, MD, Chair of the American College of
Radiology Breast Imaging Commission.
In
Nov. of 2009, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
ignored published data showing a similar death rate reduction prior to
this landmark trial, and withdrew support for screening women 40–49.
This recent study is considered more detailed and definitive.
Nov. of 2009, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
ignored published data showing a similar death rate reduction prior to
this landmark trial, and withdrew support for screening women 40–49.
This recent study is considered more detailed and definitive.
The
Swedish trial, which is the research determining the study out comes,
followed more than 600,000 women for 16 years. Those who did not have
screenings had deaths from breast cancer twice as high as those who had
screening. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and kills
about 450,000 women each annually.
“This
study shows that annual mammograms for women 40 and over result in a
tremendously significant reduction in the breast cancer death rate for
women 40-49. The age of 50 is an artificial threshold that has no basis
in scientific fact. The debate is now over. Women should no longer be
confused about the importance of annual breast cancer screening.
Mammography saves lives. If you are a woman age 40 or over, one of them
could be yours,” said Phil Evans, MD, President of the Society of Breast
Imaging (SBI).
study shows that annual mammograms for women 40 and over result in a
tremendously significant reduction in the breast cancer death rate for
women 40-49. The age of 50 is an artificial threshold that has no basis
in scientific fact. The debate is now over. Women should no longer be
confused about the importance of annual breast cancer screening.
Mammography saves lives. If you are a woman age 40 or over, one of them
could be yours,” said Phil Evans, MD, President of the Society of Breast
Imaging (SBI).
“It
is now time to stop confusing women with conflicting information.
Mammography is a lifesaver for women in their 40s. What providers need
to do now is uniformly confirm for women that they need to start getting
annual mammograms beginning at age 40 and work to build on the ability
of mammography to detect cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Mammography saves a significant number of lives in all women 40 and
over. Let’s all move forward from there,” said Gail Lebovic, MD, breast
surgeon and President of the American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD).
is now time to stop confusing women with conflicting information.
Mammography is a lifesaver for women in their 40s. What providers need
to do now is uniformly confirm for women that they need to start getting
annual mammograms beginning at age 40 and work to build on the ability
of mammography to detect cancer early, when it is most treatable.
Mammography saves a significant number of lives in all women 40 and
over. Let’s all move forward from there,” said Gail Lebovic, MD, breast
surgeon and President of the American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD).
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