NEWER IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER
New guidelines and recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force state that women would get almost as much benefit out of having mammograms every two years after they turn 50 as having a mammogram once a year starting at age 40. The task force reports that the benefits of early screening for women between 40 and 49 are small. The report concluded that early testing for these women often results in more false positives, more procedures and more anxiety.
As I stated in my blog “Born In The USA” posted on 11/10/2009, national research and statistics show that the death rate from breast cancer has been steadily decreasing in this country for many years now. If less women are dying from breast cancer, I would conclude that current guidelines, suggesting that annual mammograms begin at age 40, are working to the benefit of women. To me, this proves that early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer. As we all know, detecting cancers earlier means that aggressive, life-saving treatments can begin earlier.
Though early detection benefits all women, African American women, in particular, would be significantly harmed by waiting later in life to begin mammograms. Why? Because African American women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at an younger age and at a more advanced stage. So, it appears that the new guidelines suggested by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force were not considering this particular group of women.
We must ask ourselves what is the driving force behind these new guidelines? Could this be a first attempt at giving insurance companies a reason discontinue paying for mammograms beginning at age 40. If these new guidelines are widely adopted, it would not be long before our insurance carriers would begin to change mammogram coverage benefits leading to more out-of-pocket expenses for you and for me.
As a breast cancer survivor and a Radiologist, I am urging my family members, friends, colleagues and patients to continue with the current recommendations by the American Cancer Society and begin annual mammograms at age 40 – earlier if recommended by their doctor.
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
MAY NOT BE BETTER FOR YOU!
