But given the change in temperament in NCI's leadership, it is possible that the agency will either issue a new recommendation, or let the panel's proclamation stand as a de facto recommendation. Adding support to the NCI panel's stance is the American Cancer Society, which also last month strengthened its position on screening for younger women by recommending that women aged 40 to 49 receive mammograms annually, rather than every one to two years, as the ACS had previously advised.
What impact will the new policies have on the mammography market? They could result in increased procedure volume as more women in their 40s begin getting screened more regularly. In addition, the new guidelines bolster efforts to persuade insurance companies to reimburse for screening of younger women. The NCI advisory board specifically recommended that insurance providers should reimburse for mammography for all women beginning at age 40.
