With the resurgence of COVID-19, mammography sites are reinstituting COVD-19 safety protocols to help ensure that women can safely continue to get their yearly mammograms.
Talk to your doctor about scheduling your mammogram. Missed appointments may lead to delayed cancer diagnoses, unnecessary breast cancer deaths and more aggressive treatment. Let’s not let this happen. Our toolkit offers:
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A mammogram is a noninvasive X-ray used to check breasts for breast cancer and other abnormalities. It is the only test shown to reduce breast cancer deaths. Mammograms can detect cancer early — when most treatable — long before it can be felt. This improves odds of survival and can help avoid more extensive treatment. |
Balancing Benefits and Risks |
Screening in Underserved Communities |
Breast Cancer Overdiagnosis |
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The American College of Radiology (ACR) and Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) recommend that women start getting annual mammograms at age 40. The American Cancer Society (ACS), U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), ACR and SBI agree that this approach saves the most lives.
By not getting annual mammograms starting at age 40, you increase your chances of dying from breast cancer and the likelihood that you will experience more extensive treatment for any cancers found.
We include the guidelines below to make you aware of the options and help you make informed decisions.
Notes on USPSTF Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations:
Significant scientific evidence supports recommendations to start annual mammograms at age 40. This approach saves more lives than delayed or less frequent screening. We hope that you find this information useful.
The Mammographic Screening Trials: Commentary on the Recent Work by Olsen and Goetzsche.
Breast Cancer: Computer Simulation Method for Estimating Optimal Intervals for Screening.
JAMA — Consequences of False-Positive Screening Mammograms – Anxiety from false-positives is short-term with no lasting effects.
JAMA — Enthusiasm for Cancer Screening in the United States – Nearly all women who have a false-positive exam still endorse regular screening and want to know their status.
The Oncologist — Arguments Against Mammography Screening Continue to be Based on Faulty Science
Bias in the Medical Journals: A Commentary.
Canadian National Breast Screening Study: Assessment of Technical Quality by External Review.