What Age Do I Start Screening? (Mammograms)
Posted by Todd Fries | Filed under FAQ
Many women (and men) are confused about the recent, controversial comments made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force regarding breast cancer screening. The group, established in 1984 and operating as an independent panel of private-sector experts, said in November they no longer support mammography screening for women under the age of 50. Instead, they recommend biennial screening start at 50 and continue through age 74.
The USPSTF based their revised recommendation on two studies analyzing benefits and harms presented by early screening. Modalities reviewed were breast self-examination, clinical breast examination, film and digital mammography, and magnetic resonance imaging.
According to the American Cancer Society’s website, ”1 out of 8 invasive breast cancers are found in women younger than 45,” which makes early detection critical. The point, they say, is to diagnosis and treat breast cancer before it becomes invasive. Once a woman starts to show symptoms of breast cancer, the progression of the disease has already dramatically increased her risk of death.
Therefore, the American Cancer Society holds to its recommendation that mammography screening start at age 40 for women of average risk for breast cancer. The ACS is not alone: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the National Cancer Institute, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Los Angeles Breast Cancer Alliance have confirmed they will uphold earlier recommendations.
Some organizations support the new guidelines, including the National Breast Cancer Coalition and the Dr. Susan Love Research Fund.
Dr. Susan Love, a renowned California breast cancer surgeon, explains (in a recent email to ABC News) that the new USPSTF guidelines are “recommendations for public policy, NOT individuals, and everyone will come out with their own decision in consultation with their physician.”
Since 1990, the cancer death rate among women has declined steadily each year, partly due to early detection and treatment. However, breast cancer is still the most commonly diagnosed cancer in California women. It is also the second leading cause of death among women, after cardiovascular disease.
For more information about breast cancer, including signs and symptoms, go to www.cancer.org
To help determine if your insurance provider and plan offers adequate coverage for cancer screening, or to explore plans that do and you live in California, contact health insurance broker Todd Fries at (323) 464-TODD (8633) or at toddshealthinsurance@gmail.com.
Initial consultations are FREE.
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