The guidelines released on Tuesday are based on more than a woman’s age. Before that, the risks appear to outweigh the benefits for most women, she said.
Advertisement
“What’s different about this is that they finally have accepted the importance of screening mammography under age 50”, said Dr. Avice O’Connell of UR Medicine.
Both groups are trying to balance the benefits and harms of annual mammograms.
“Had I hadn’t gone in for my yearly exam, and she hadn’t checked, I probably wouldn’t be here today that is for sure”, said Ellis. For women at higher risk, anyone who has a family history of breast cancer, who may have a genetic mutation like brca or x-ray radiation treatment as a child, starting earlier and more often is the way to go. “Therefore, you’d have to do a lot more mammograms to prevent one death”, compared to older women, Wender said. This can cause a woman significant anxiety. “And, you would be surprised the number of women who actually have full blown breast cancer”. Recommendations suggest women should begin annual screening before the age of 45 if they so choose, and should continue getting mammograms if they remain in good health and have a life expectancy of 10 years or longer. They continue to support testing starting at age 40.
For women under age 45, the recommendations vary.
A doctor told NBC News, “This is one more set of recommendations that will be confusing to women and their primary care providers”.
Younger women now needn’t be paranoid about getting mammograms done before they turn two score and 5.
Cindy Enerson said she was 41 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was caught during her annual mammogram.
“Girls in their 20s and 30s have to know”.
“I think I would just encourage women to have those conversations with their doctor and be sure they’re doing what’s right for them, not just taking headlines at face value”. “The cutback on screening is falsely reassuring”, said Dr. Marisa Weiss, who is the founder and president of Breastcancer.org.
But these new guidelines have been not been appreciated by a few patient advocates.
Until a better test comes along Dr. Keating says women should keep talking to their doctors.
Mammograms save lives, but according to the American Cancer Society, they may not be necessary if you are under 45.
Advertisement
For years, the message was drummed into women: MAMMOGRAMS SAVE LIVES.
