BREAST CANCER MORTALITY HAS RECENTLY DECLINED. Nevertheless, it remains the second most common cancer (after skin cancer) and the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. Who benefits from the changes in proposed breast cancer screening guidelines?
Troubled by an increase in diagnoses among younger women and high death rates among Black women, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recently changed its screening recommendations.
The new guidelines recommend that all women start getting regular mammograms at age 40 (instead of 50, the previous recommendation).
Why Has Breast Cancer Screening Changed?
After examining recent more inclusive screening mammogram science, the Task Force commissioned a review of screening strategies and modeling studies to arrive at its conclusions.
Among the factors influencing the decision to lower the screening age is this observation:
Black women diagnosed with breast cancer in their 40s have twice the mortality rate of white women.
Will the mammogram changes save lives?
The Task Force’s analysis of breast cancer screening approaches suggests that the new recommendations might increase the revival rate by one-fifth (a relative 20 percent).
Every two-year screening, beginning at 40 and continuing until 74, should prevent 1.3 breast cancer deaths per 1,000 women (compared with screening beginning at 50).
Black women may reap even more benefits: The new screening guidelines may prevent an estimated 1.8 breast cancer deaths per 1,000.
I hope the new guidelines will help to narrow racial disparities in breast cancer mortality and improve survival among the growing number of young women with breast cancer.
The American Cancer Society’s view on screening
The American Cancer Society has a slightly different take, offering that women 40 to 44 should be able to choose screening. The ACS offers that beginning at 45; women should get mammograms annually until age 55. Fast-growing cancers are more common before menopause.
I am delighted that the new guidelines recommend starting at a younger age than previous ones. The changes should ensure clarity caused by contradictory recommendations from medical groups.
Key points — New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
Question. What has changed in breast cancer screening recommendations?
Findings. Every two-year screening, beginning at 40 and continuing until 74, should prevent 1.3 breast cancer deaths per 1,000 women (compared with screening beginning at 50). Black women might get even more benefits.
Meaning. The new advice does not apply to anyone who has had breast cancer, has had concerning breast lesions in prior biopsies, carries genetic mutations that increase her risk or has had high-dose radiation to the chest. These women should consult a valued healthcare provider about an optimal screening approach. Hopefully, starting screening earlier will help address the rising incidence of breast cancer among young people and the high breast cancer mortality in Black Americans.
Here’s what I wrote earlier today about the new breast cancer screening guidelines:
New Breast Cancer Screening Guide
If you know someone with breast cancer, here is my comprehensive online course:
Breast Cancer – What a Patient Needs to Know
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading “Who Benefits From the New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines?”
