Breast Cancer Screenings: What You Need to Know

Posted November 18, 2009, 10:16 am in Diagnosis

This week, the United States Preventative Services Task Force stunned many when it announced it is reversing longstanding breast care guidelines with new recommendations aimed at reducing harm from overtreatment.

According to the New York Times, the task force is comprised of "an influential group that provides guidance to doctors, insurance companies and policy makers."

The group's new recommendations are:

breast cancer screening should not begin until 50 years of age rather than 40
mammograms should be less frequent for women ages 50-70 -- every other year versus annually
doctors should stop teaching women to examine their breasts on a regular basis.

More women than ever are surviving breast cancer. Self-exams, early screening and more aggressive treatments are the key reasons survival rates are higher.

M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando is maintaining its current guidelines and recommends three approaches to breast cancer screening.

Breast Self-Examination: Monthly, beginning at age 20
Clinical Breast Examination: Every one to three years from age 20, and every year after age 40
Mammogram: Every year beginning at age 40 to be continued as long as patient remains in reasonably good health.

Let us know what you think about the new recommendation from the United States Preventative Services Task Force. Is this a good thing? Click on the "post comment" button below and weigh in now!

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Lynda Canatay
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Posted 4:19pm November 19th, 2009
As the Events Manager of WPFT, I have came in contact with many women in their early 30's who have been affected by breast cancer. I urge you to not stop your monthly self exams, don't skip your yearly mammograms and educate your young daughters and nieces about monthly self exams so she knows her body and can tell a doctor of anything unusual she notices. I don't believe in these new guidelines, and if anyone is wavering on what they should do, please rewatch our videos, Pink Lemonade Stand, Taming the Dragon and Big Name, Big Fun and listen to what happened to these women. They are testament to how breast cancer is hitting all ages. Breast Cancer has no discrimination on age or race!
Mary Mahoney
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Posted 3:50pm November 19th, 2009
I think the latest guidelines are confusing. I can't help but think about all the women I know who have been diagnosed with breast cancer in their 40's and are alive today because of early detection. I'm relieved that so many health organizations are coming out against the recommended guidelines. I just hope this does not give ammunition to the insurance companies to stop covering mammograms for women who may need them, regardless of their age.