Why You Shouldn"t Listen to the New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines
In the November 17, 2009 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, the U.
S.
Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) released their new recommendations for breast cancer screening, adding 10 years to what they had previously recommended in 2002.
In 2009, this federally-funded task force recommends against regular routine mammograms for women in their 40s, only for women who are over the age of 50.
They also recommend against teaching about breast self-examination.
Needless to say, this has completely riled up the medical community, especially those who work with breast cancer patients.
The "old" guidelines for breast cancer screening recommend that all women over the age of 40 have regular mammograms every 1-2 years.
They also promote women performing self breast exams at home.
Many major health organizations, including the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists are sticking by these guidelines.
Medical centers across the United States are also disputing the USPSTF's new recommendations and keeping the age of routine mammograms at 40.
Because this cancer is the second cause of death in U.
S.
women, these new recommendations have caused quite a debate.
According to the American Cancer Society, between 2002 and 2006, 95 percent of new breast cancer diagnosis happened to women over 40, and 97 percent of deaths were from this age range.
The American Cancer society estimates that before 2009 is over, over 192,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer-most of these women.
Another 40,000 people will die from this disease.
In 2009, over 18,000 people under the age of 45 will have invasive breast cancers, and 2,820 in this age range will die.
These stats are pretty scary.
That's why early detection is key.
The earlier that you can detect cancer, the easier it is to treat and ultimately beat.
With stage 1 and 2 breast cancer, you have over 85 percent 5-year survival rate.
When your cancer metastases (spreads to other parts of your body), your survival rate dramatically drops.
Because cancer in its earliest form has no symptoms-in some cases, not even a hard lump in one of your breasts-a mammogram (a low dose x-ray of your breasts) is often the only way that you know you have cancer.
Mammograms, like other medical tests, can occasionally give false positives, which can be very emotionally traumatizing, but they are accurate in 80 to 90 percent of cases.
Every woman should make up her own mind on whether she wants to have a mammogram or not, but one should know that the USPSTF is federally funded.
With the 2009 healthcare debate, many people are questioning whether these new recommendations are based on economic reasons, not for truly preventing disease and saving lives.
S.
Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) released their new recommendations for breast cancer screening, adding 10 years to what they had previously recommended in 2002.
In 2009, this federally-funded task force recommends against regular routine mammograms for women in their 40s, only for women who are over the age of 50.
They also recommend against teaching about breast self-examination.
Needless to say, this has completely riled up the medical community, especially those who work with breast cancer patients.
The "old" guidelines for breast cancer screening recommend that all women over the age of 40 have regular mammograms every 1-2 years.
They also promote women performing self breast exams at home.
Many major health organizations, including the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists are sticking by these guidelines.
Medical centers across the United States are also disputing the USPSTF's new recommendations and keeping the age of routine mammograms at 40.
Because this cancer is the second cause of death in U.
S.
women, these new recommendations have caused quite a debate.
According to the American Cancer Society, between 2002 and 2006, 95 percent of new breast cancer diagnosis happened to women over 40, and 97 percent of deaths were from this age range.
The American Cancer society estimates that before 2009 is over, over 192,000 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer-most of these women.
Another 40,000 people will die from this disease.
In 2009, over 18,000 people under the age of 45 will have invasive breast cancers, and 2,820 in this age range will die.
These stats are pretty scary.
That's why early detection is key.
The earlier that you can detect cancer, the easier it is to treat and ultimately beat.
With stage 1 and 2 breast cancer, you have over 85 percent 5-year survival rate.
When your cancer metastases (spreads to other parts of your body), your survival rate dramatically drops.
Because cancer in its earliest form has no symptoms-in some cases, not even a hard lump in one of your breasts-a mammogram (a low dose x-ray of your breasts) is often the only way that you know you have cancer.
Mammograms, like other medical tests, can occasionally give false positives, which can be very emotionally traumatizing, but they are accurate in 80 to 90 percent of cases.
Every woman should make up her own mind on whether she wants to have a mammogram or not, but one should know that the USPSTF is federally funded.
With the 2009 healthcare debate, many people are questioning whether these new recommendations are based on economic reasons, not for truly preventing disease and saving lives.
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