To Mammogram or Not to Mammogram?
That is the question, at least if you are a female between the ages of 40 and 49. Why the need for such controversial debate? The latest debate began because of a group of health experts named United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF reviews research and then makes recommendations for the public based on the research results. In 2009, the USPSTF made the recommendation that screening mammograms should be done every two years, beginning at age 50, for a female with average risk for breast cancer. They also recommended that doctors should not be teaching patients to do self breast exams.
These guidelines were decided upon by studying research that produced evidence that obtaining a mammogram on a yearly basis may be dangerous to a woman’s health and, as a result from false positives, may also be the reason for so many premature and unnecessary breast biopsies. Shawnee mom, Melissa Rose, has this to say: “If there is anything you can do to detect breast cancer, you should do it. Whether it is a mammogram or self breast exams, any prevention is better than no prevention.” Preventing breast cancer is dear to Melissa, as she lost her sister to breast cancer at the tender age of 31.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Mayo Clinic, the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology think differently than the USPSTF. On July 20, 2011, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists put out a press release regarding their recommendations which support obtaining a screening mammogram beginning at age 40 and encourage all women to do self breast exams. A statement made by the American Family Physicians in 2013 states that women with more than a 20 percent risk or who have a BRCA mutation, screening should begin at age 25 or at the age that is five to ten years younger than the earliest age that breast cancer was diagnosed in the family. At the Mayo Clinic the current practice is:
- Every woman should become familiar with her breasts so that she may be able to alert her physician of any changes.
- Clinical breast exam performed by a health care provider each year, beginning at age 40.
- Screening mammogram beginning at age 40.
If you have questions about mammography, it is important to talk with your doctor, research your options and decide what is right for you.
Melanie Yunger is a local nurse practitioner, age 40-49, who endures yearly mammograms.
As always, please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns.