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Screening Mammography Facts (ages 40-49)
We want you to be informed about the benefits of screening mammography and our position on when to start being screened. However, we encourage you to talk with your physician to determine the most appropriate course of wellness and screening steps to fit your needs, based on your age and family history. Below are some facts consider.
Several local medical experts have collaborated to issue the following joint statement in response to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force's new recommended guidelines for mammography.
As breast cancer and women's health experts we feel it is important for women to continue following screening recommendations from the American Cancer Society, including scheduling annual mammograms beginning at age 40. We do not support the recent recommendations presented by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and feel their findings are not in the best interest of women's health.
Signed:
- William K. Poston, Jr., MD, President, Mecklenburg County Medical Society
- E. Winters Mabry, MD, Health Director, Mecklenburg County Health Department
- Richard B. Reiling, MD, FACS, Medical Director, Presbyterian Cancer Center
- Frederick L. Greene, MD, FACS, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center
- Nicole Abinanti, MD, Director of Women's Imaging, Mecklenburg Radiology Associates, Presbyterian Breast Center
- Arl Van Moore, Jr., MD, President, Charlotte Radiology
Dr. Matthews Gromet Responds in Charlotte Observer: Survivors sharpen debate on mammograms
Dr. Scott Hees Responds in Local Paper in Richmond County: Cancer study sparks anger
Countless research studies on screening mammography have been conducted over the years. While many researchers have proven the benefits of mammography as a screening tool, others debate that it has led to the unnecessary and expensive treatment of some breast cancers that may not have needed treatment at all. The largest study on mammography conducted in Sweden is the Tabar Study. Data from the study states that screening mammography has reduced the mortality rate of women ages 40-49 by 40% and in women ages 40-69 by 44%.
While mammography, an x-ray of the breast tissue, has been around since the 1960's, radiologists in Charlotte determined in the 1980's that using mammography as a screening tool might in fact aid physicians in finding breast cancers at earlier, more-treatable stages, thereby saving more lives. These radiologists were some of the earliest to develop a protocol for screening vs. diagnostic mammography. Screening patients would no longer see a radiologist and have only four images taken. These images would be reviewed by the radiologist, and if a diagnosis was not reachable the patient would be called back in for further imaging; a diagnostic mammogram or ultrasound may be ordered. The protocol for screening mammography took off and eventually grew into today's screening guideline for women, including guidelines set forth by the American Cancer Society and various other national physician organizations: get annual mammograms starting at age 40; some referring physicians recommend a baseline mammogram at age 35; women with a family history should talk to their doctor about getting their mammogram sooner.
- Screening Mammography has reduced the mortality rate by 30% since 1990.
- Screening Mammography in women ages 40-49 has reduced the mortality rate by 25%, according to many international studies.
- 75-80% of women ages 40-49 with breast cancer have NO family history.
- Breast Cancers detected in women under 60 are often the more aggressive cancers.
- The two biggest risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and growing older.
- Mammography is a low-cost and safe tool for breast cancer screening, with the amount of radiation exposure comparable to flying across the country.
Charlotte Radiology is the largest private radiology practice in the Southeast, serving the Charlotte-area for more than 40 years. Our team of 70+ sub-specialized radiologists is committed to quality, accurate reads and is involved with the American College of Radiology's quality initiative programs. Our team of breast imagers is comprised of physicians who developed the screening mammography model used today and have been recognized nationally for their research and volume of work.
Locally, our data supports the recommendation for annual mammography for women starting at age 40. From June 1996 - December 2008, Charlotte Radiology screened nearly 625,000 women for breast cancer. Of the breast cancers detected using screening mammography, 21.4% were found in women ages 40-49.
The earlier you catch breast cancer the better chance you have of beating it. We follow the American Cancer Society's (ACS) recommendations for breast cancer detection:
- Monthly Self Breast Exams starting at age 20
- Clinical Breast Exams starting at age 20 as a part of your regular physical; annually after age 40.
- Annual Mammogram every year beginning at age 40.
For more details on the ACS recommendations, please visit: American Cancer Society
For more information, please contact Katie Robbins, director of marketing & practice relations, at 704-334-7810. Also additional web sites to consider include:
