ACS: Mammograms are best way to spot breast cancer
Mammograms detect 80 percent to 90 percent of breast cancers in women without symptoms, and all women 40 and older should get a yearly mammogram, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), which marked Oct. 17 as National Mammography Day.
"Mammography remains the most effective screening test for the early detection of breast cancer available to women today," said Otis W. Brawley, MD, the ACS's chief medical officer.
Early detection by mammography screening and improvements in treatment have contributed to a decline in the breast cancer death rate in the United States since 1990. However, recent evidence suggests that many women are getting mammograms at a later age, not scheduling them yearly, or are not receiving appropriate and timely follow-up after positive breast cancer screening results, according to the ACS.
Along with recommending yearly mammograms and clinical breast examinations for women older than 40, the ACS said that women ages 20 to 39 should undergo clinical breast examination at least once every three years.
Women at high risk for breast cancer (greater than a 20 percent lifetime risk) should have an annual MRI and mammogram, and women at moderate risk (15 percent to 20 percent lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram, the ACS recommended.
"Mammography remains the most effective screening test for the early detection of breast cancer available to women today," said Otis W. Brawley, MD, the ACS's chief medical officer.
Early detection by mammography screening and improvements in treatment have contributed to a decline in the breast cancer death rate in the United States since 1990. However, recent evidence suggests that many women are getting mammograms at a later age, not scheduling them yearly, or are not receiving appropriate and timely follow-up after positive breast cancer screening results, according to the ACS.
Along with recommending yearly mammograms and clinical breast examinations for women older than 40, the ACS said that women ages 20 to 39 should undergo clinical breast examination at least once every three years.
Women at high risk for breast cancer (greater than a 20 percent lifetime risk) should have an annual MRI and mammogram, and women at moderate risk (15 percent to 20 percent lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their yearly mammogram, the ACS recommended.