| Good science prevails and the ACR (American College of Radiology) is now endorsing mammograms for women between the ages of 40-49. This is great news. The study from Sweden reported that mammos performed on this group reduced breast cancer related deaths by 30%.
Have you had your annual mammogram? If not, there is no time like the present to call for the appointment. If you don’t have insurance, contact your doctor and they can point you in the direction of where you can go for a reduced or free study. Don’t put it off. Early detection saves lives! ACR endorses mammo for women 40-49 |
The American College of Radiology (ACR) is endorsing a Swedish study published online in Cancer that confirms that annual mammography screening of women in their 40s reduces the breast cancer death rate in this population by nearly 30%.
The research is the largest study ever conducted of women in this age group and concludes that using the age of 50 as a threshold for breast cancer screening is scientifically unfounded, the ACR said. It recommends that women begin annual mammograms at age 40.
In a prepared statement, Carol Lee, MD, chair of the ACR’s Breast Imaging Commission, said the study “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.”
The trial followed more than 600,000 women for 16 years. The number of breast cancer deaths among the women in the study who did not receive mammograms was twice as high as for those who underwent screening.
In November 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) withdrew its recommendation for screening women ages 40 to 49. The ACR said the study published in Cancer is based on real-world numbers and proves that the benefit is nearly twice that of the USPSTF estimate of 15%.
Follow Us!