EFN

New breast cancer screening guidelines have been created, sparking a firestorm of controversy. The U.S. Preventive Screening Task Force changed the breast cancer screening recommendation for women to begin screening at age 50 versus age 40. They also recommend only screening every 2 years instead of every year. The Task Force also recommended halting all breast cancer screening for women over the age of 75.

The Task Force sites the reasoning for their change in screening recommendations is due to the costs associated with annual screening as well as the minimal effect on breast cancer mortality. The Radiological Society of North America has criticized these latest moves. The RSNA shows that women who were screened between the ages of 40 and 75 had a 40-50 percent mortality reduction as a result of early detection.

Daniel B. Kopans a senior radiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, presented some startling evidence as well. 75-90 percent of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer were not in the high risk group. The American Cancer Society supports yearly mammograms from the age of 40 years old and up. The new guidelines will have an impact on health insurance allowances, which is most likely a leading factor in these new recommendations.