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Just how important is a mammogram?
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A government panel of doctors and scientists has issued new guidelines for mammograms and a number of other cancer screenings. The United States Preventative Task Force (USPTF) is going against the American Cancer Society by recommending against yearly mammograms for women ages 41 to 49 because they say the risk of harm outweighs the advantage. Furthermore, they propose we stop giving mammograms to women over age 74 and stop teaching women self-examination of their breasts because there is no evidence that either of these measures are affective [AP].
Why the change? There aren’t enough proven benefits from mammograms for women under age 50, but there is more evidence of harm. False alarms and unnecessary biopsies outnumber the preventative results of mammography. Cancer screenings in general have come under scrutiny because advanced cancers continue to be diagnosed with no change since screenings became the norm. Some scientists believe that breast cancer doesn’t lend itself to early detection. The cancer either grows too rapidly for preventative measure or grows so slowly it couldn’t be detected, not showing up in mammogram screenings for as long as years [ABC]. On the other hand, screening for colon cancer and annual Pap tests for women, have shown positive results and early diagnosis seems to be key in treating in colon and cervical cancers.
The USPTF recommends mammograms for all women over 50 every two years instead of annually. Any woman with a known high risk of breast cancer, like a family history of breast cancer or a positive test for breast cancer BRCA gene should still be screened annually.
Earlier this year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) admitted they may have overstated the importance of early breast cancer screenings and blood tests for prostate cancer. In the past, the American Cancer Society has recommended that any woman over age 40 get an annual mammogram. Most doctors will show young women how to examine their own breasts and recommend that she perform self-examinations between annual visits to the gynecologist.
Many health advocates and practitioners are incensed by the USPTF’s changes, if not confused. Some point out the fact that the panel doesn’t include any oncologists [AP]. Breast examinations and mammograms are still the only measure for detecting breast cancer. Could this change mean insurance will stop covering mammograms for women under 40? Do these guidelines force us to embrace the public healthcare option?
On the other hand, evidence or a lack thereof speaks for itself. It doesn’t take an oncologist to read the writing on the wall if annual mammograms are doing more harm than good. The USPTF is trying to set women at ease, maybe even save us money and the stress of false positives. But are women just feeling confused by these new guidelines? If you tell a woman to worry over something for years, how do you expect them to react when you say, Nevermind. Well, blogs and emails to the media are showing women are befuddled and doubtful.
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