This post was contributed by Dana Smetherman, MD, chair of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Commission.
Many clinicians remain confused about when their female patients should start getting mammograms. Some don’t understand — or know where to find — the data on reduced mortality and morbidity due to screening.
Conflicting guidelines, lack of data and the resulting confusion may contribute to thousands of unnecessary breast cancer deaths each year.
The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) has created a free, new “Talking to Your Patients About Breast Cancer Screening” continuing medical education (CME) Toolkit to help you help your referring providers — and together save lives.
These customizable materials empower your referring providers to:
- Identify and assess reliable breast cancer screening and outcomes data
- Discern actual breast cancer screening risks vs. benefits
- Discuss with patients when to be screened to avoid unnecessary death and treatment due to late breast cancer detection due to lack of screening
- Earn CME credit upon completing an online module
We have to fight confusion with facts. Lives depend on it.
So, please:
- Customize these materials with your branding (we’ve left a place for that in each item)
- Share with your referring clinicians and advise them of CME availability!
- Place patient materials on your website and in your waiting room
- Print and include in correspondence with patients and referring providers
The toolkit can be accessed via ACR.org Breast Imaging Resources Section, MammographySavesLives.org Provider Resources Section, and EndTheConfusion.org.
