|Articles|November 18, 2009

To Mammogram or not to Mammogram, and when?

News summary of the discussion about when routine mammography screening for breast cancer should begin

The US Preventive Services Task Force issued a report recommending “against routine screening mammography in women aged 40-49 years”. As noted on its website, the USPSTF is an independent panel of private-sector experts in prevention and primary care.

Despite this recommendation the American Cancer Society is not changing its guideline and "continues to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40". The full text of the response can be found here.

Related Clinical Links

Full text of the news recommendation (USPSTF website)
American Cancer Society response (Cancer.org)
National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Mammography (Guidelines.gov)
Clinical Journal Scan (Searchmedica.com)

Clinical News

Softer Mammography Screening and Breast Exam Guidelines Draw Mixed Reaction (OncologyStat.com - registration required)
USPSTF: Biennial mammography should begin at age 50 (HemOncToday.com)
Panel Puts Off Mammography until Age 50 (MedPageToday.com)

What Your Patients are Reading

Screening Policy Won't Change National Officials Say (NY Times)
Our Bodies, Our Breast Exams (NY Times Health Blog)
Insurance Will Pay for Breast Exams (USA Today)

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