In 2009, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) withdrew its support for screening mammography for women 40-49 and for women over 75, and the Task Force recommended that women ages 50-74 be screened every two years instead of annually. In addition, they recommended against Clinical Breast Examination and Breast Self-examination.

Those of us dedicated to the diagnosis of breast cancer here at John Muir Health, along with many professional organizations and experts, disagree with these new recommendations. Under the current screening guidelines, we have seen a 30% drop in breast cancer deaths in women of all ages in the U.S. The following information outlines why we disagree:

  • The 16 member Preventative Services Task Force did not have any physician specialist in breast cancer screening, diagnosis, or treatment on its panel.
  • Screening mammography is one of the most carefully studied tests in medical history, with multiple comparison studies world-wide showing between 30% to 63% decrease in breast cancer deaths in women undergoing annual screening mammography. The panel chose to ignore virtually all of these studies, claiming only a 15% reduction in breast cancer deaths in women ages 40-49. The actual decrease in breast cancer deaths in this age group was between 23% and 44%.
  • The Task Force also claimed that false positive exams “harm” patients by increasing pain and anxiety. In fact, the vast majority of screening mammograms actually relieve anxiety about breast cancer. For most women, it is a “good news” exam.
  • In our practice at John Muir Health, we have diagnosed over 500 breast cancers since 2008. Approximately 30% were women under age 50. Most of these would have gone undiagnosed in the early stages had the USPSTF guidelines been followed.

We all know that there is no perfect test in medicine and that mammography is no exception. However, it is by far the best weapon we have in our war against breast cancer, and it is a proven one in diagnosing disease at an early stage when it is still treatable. We urge you to follow the recommendations of the American Cancer Society:

SCREENING MAMMOGRAM EVERY YEAR BEGINNING AT AGE 40

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