(November 19, 2009) - The US Preventative Health Task Force has made a change in its recommendations for mammographic screening. This new recommendation, which does not apply to women known to be at higher than average risk of developing breast cancer, calls for mammographic screening to be done every other year in women ages 50 to 74.

 

This is a departure from recommendations currently made by the American Cancer Society, as well as the prior position of the Task Force itself. The American Cancer Society has not issued any change to its long standing recommendation that women begin annual mammography at age 40.

 

What caused this shift in policy?

 

Analysis of mammography studies done in England and Sweden helped the Task Force scientists construct statistical models to estimate how much benefit, in terms of lives saved, women in various age groups will receive from annual mammography.

 

These studies and the Task Force recommendation are thought-provoking and deserve further study to help identify individual women and populations of women who benefit the most from mammography, as with any other medical test or procedure.

 

 

At this point, Lancaster General Health will continue to offer breast cancer screening with mammography, and other imaging modalities where indicated, to women 40 to 75 years of age. We will keep a close eye on the developing discussions and analyses, as well as new research in the area.

 

The balance between finding the earliest cancers and protecting individuals from over-testing can be quite delicate, yet important to explore more deeply. Meanwhile, we are encouraging our patients to engage their healthcare providers in conversations in an individualistic way about both the risks and benefits of mammography.

 

At Lancaster General Health, we have diagnostic radiologists who specialize in breast imaging. Our breast care team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, breast surgeons, breast-focused nurse navigators and gynecologists who can help each person decide what approach best meets her individual needs and concerns.