The American Cancer Society has just changed its guidelines on mammograms.
Women without a family history or genetic predisposition to develop breast cancer are now being told to start getting annual mammograms at age 45 instead of the previously recommended age 40. The ACS also suggests that such a woman switch to getting mammograms every other year once she reaches the age of 55.
Recommendations from Other Groups Differ:
These guidelines published in JAMA appear to offer some clarity. Other groups do not agree, however. The US Preventive Services Task Force has not changed its recommendation, issued in 2009, that women start having screening mammograms every other year starting at age 50.
To make things even more confusing, the American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging still recommend that women begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. These are the health professionals who actually administer and interpret mammograms.
What Should a Woman Do?
Not surprisingly, such conflicting advice leads to confusion. The consequence of these differing approaches is that women and their doctors will need to talk about when a woman should start and how often she should seek a mammogram. Is she truly at “average” risk, or might her risk of breast cancer be higher than average? This will require discernment.
Be Aware of Potential Harms from Mammograms:
In addition to the guidelines, JAMA has published an article on the benefits and harms of breast cancer screening and an editorial on mammography. Many women do not realize that there could be harms associated with mammography, since false positive findings can lead to biopsy and complications, not to mention anxiety. The new guidelines are intended to reduce the burden of overdiagnosis.
