Groups hail study of breast screening in 40s

The American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) have issued a joint statement hailing the results of a recent study in JAMA Internal Medicine that found a strong majority of physicians recommend breast screening for women in their 40s.

Published on April 10, the research described how more than 81% of primary care doctors and gynecologists recommended breast screening for women ages 40 to 44, and 88% recommended breast screening for women ages 45 to 49. The study authors noted that while medical societies recommend screening these younger women, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) does not, instead advising that screening should be a personal decision.

The results of the study are encouraging, according to Dr. Debra Monticciolo, chair of the ACR's Commission on Breast Imaging.

"The doctors understand differing screening recommendations and still advise women based on the potential to save lives, allowing women to decide for themselves how they feel about possibly being recalled for additional mammograms or ultrasounds," she said in a prepared statement.

SBI Vice President Dr. Jay Baker also expressed his support for the study.

"There is agreement on the fact that the most lives are saved by annual screening beginning at age 40," Baker said in the statement.