A poll published in the Annals of Internal Medicine shows that the recently updated guidelines on breast screening from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) may be affecting whether doctors recommend mammography for women in their 40s.
The poll evaluated the effect that the USPSTF's mammography recommendations could have on patient care (Ann Intern Med, February 16, 2010, Vol. 152:4). Of the physicians who responded, 67% said they would stop routinely advising women in their 40s to get annual mammograms and 62% would advise women 50 to 74 to get a mammogram every other year rather than annually.
In addition, 41% said they would stop advising women to do monthly self-examinations, and 19% said they would stop advising women to do clinical breast examinations.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI), both in Reston, VA, issued a statement highlighting the danger of the USPSTF's guidelines being put into clinical practice, especially in light of what the groups claim is scientific evidence showing that the mortality rate from breast cancer has decreased by 30% since the onset of regular mammography screening in 1990.
The poll reflects the confusion caused by the USPSTF recommendations and sets the stage for thousands of American women to be at increased risk of dying unnecessarily from breast cancer, Dr. Carol Lee, chair of ACR's Breast Imaging Commission, said in the statement.
"We stand by our recommendation that yearly screening mammography should be performed for average-risk women beginning at age 40," Lee said.
The USPSTF recommendations could influence doctors who don't see many breast cancer patients to make decisions that could put women at increased risk of dying of breast cancer, said Dr. W. Phil Evans, president of the SBI.
"Women should not have to pay with their lives for mistakes, already clearly identified by experts, that can and must be corrected," he said.
By Kate Madden Yee
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
February 16, 2010
Related Reading
Editorial: Research flaws make USPSTF guidelines obsolete, February 8, 2010
ACR, SBI: Breast cancer screening should begin at 40, January 4, 2010
U.S. debate over mammograms splits along party lines, December 3, 2009
Panel of radiologists rejects USPSTF mammogram guidelines, December 2, 2009
ACR: Don't add USPSTF guidance to reform, November 24, 2009
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