There is now some disagreement on when to start screening mammograms and how frequently.  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has now put out a different guideline than those accepted by the American Cancer Society.

As I wrote in the previous post on cancer screenings, the screenings are evaluated on how effective they are and how cost effective they are as well as whether or not they actually reduce mortality or morbidity from the cancer in question.

Even before this new statement from the Task Force, some doctors have questioned whether we were doing too many routine screening mammograms starting at age 40.  The different medical professional associations don’t always agree on what to screen, how to screen, or when to start and how frequent.  This, unfortunately, leaves many patients confused about what they should and shouldn’t get.

So here’s a few things to consider and have a discussion with your own doctor about what you need in terms of mammography.

  1. Ask your doctor about your particular risks for breast cancer.  For example, based on your age, personal medical history or family medical history.
  2. Once you have an idea of what your risks are, then you can talk about how frequently you should do your mammogram and/or when you need to start.
  3. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of doing the mammogram earlier at age 40 versus waiting until age 50.
  4. Depending on the patient, the risks or cons of having the mammogram done earlier may outweigh the benefits of the test.  Talk to your doctor and get all the information you need to make an informed decision.
  5. Given that this is a new recommendation and that there is disagreement among the professional medical groups, I would guess that the medical insurance coverage for screening mammograms won’t be changing anytime soon.  If the insurance coverage adapts these guidelines, then they may change their policy and start paying for screening mammograms at age 50 and only every 2 years.  I guess if patients have other risks and needs a test done earlier, then you have to go through the process of authorizations etc. to get it approved.  Sigh… more paperwork.

Well, I say just talk to your doctor and based on each individual case, you & your doctor can decide when and how frequent to get your mammogram.

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