Mammogram guidelines: What's changed?

By Mayo Clinic News Network

When to begin mammogram screening and how often to repeat it is a personal decision.

Recommended Videos



Mayo Clinic recommends women and their doctors discuss the benefits, risks and limitations of mammograms and decide together what is best. Also consider your personal situation and preferences in making your decision.

Not all organizations agree on mammogram guidelines. For instance, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force mammogram guidelines recommend women begin screening at age 50 and repeat the test every two years. The American Cancer Society and other organizations recommend screening begin at 40 and continue annually.

Reacting to changing evidence
Mayo Clinic doctors continue to review studies about mammogram guidelines to understand what the studies mean for women's health. Changes to mammogram guidelines might or might not be necessary in the future, as researchers continue studying this topic.

Mayo Clinic supports screening beginning at age 40 because screening mammograms can detect breast abnormalities early in women in their 40s. Findings from a large study in Sweden of women in their 40s who underwent screening mammograms showed a decrease in breast cancer deaths by 29 percent.

But mammogram screening isn't perfect. Another study concluded that despite more women being diagnosed with early breast cancer due to mammogram screening, the number of women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer hasn't decreased. The study suggested that some women with early breast cancer were diagnosed with cancer that may never have affected their health.

Unfortunately doctors can't distinguish dangerous breast cancers from those that are non-life-threatening, so annual mammograms remain the best option for detecting cancer early and reducing the risk of death from breast cancer.

Other concerns about mammogram screening for breast cancer include:

  • Exposure to low levels of radiation
  • A chance of a false-positive result, which can lead to additional testing and worry over something that isn't cancer

Working with your doctor
If you're concerned about screening mammograms, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Together you can decide what's best for you based on your individual breast cancer risk.

Talk with your doctor about:

  • Your personal risk of breast cancer
  • The benefits, risks and limitations of screening mammograms
  • The role of breast self-exams in helping you become more familiar with your breasts, which may help you identify abnormalities or changes
  • The role of a clinical breast exam, which is an examination of your breasts by your doctor and is offered annually at Mayo Clinic

 

 

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mammogram/expert-answers/mammogram-guidelines/FAQ-20057759/