New Study Says Routine Mammograms Are Risky for Women in Their 40's

A study of mammography research by the American College of Physicians, which represents 120,000 internists, is sure to spark debate among the medical community. The group will issue new guidelines today which challenges the widely accepted recommendation that women in their 40's get routine mammogram testing. The new guidelines will suggest that women in their 40's consult with their doctors about whether to get the breast x-rays, claiming that the risks may outweigh the benefits. According to the comprehensive review of mammography research, it is less clear that there is benefit for women in their 40's than those who are 50 years of age or older. According to the internists, mammography screening carries significant risks associated with being x-rayed, having unnecessary biopsies, surgery and chemotherapy in some cases. The new guidelines will be published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine." According to Douglas Owens of Stanford University and head of the committee who wrote the guidelines, "We agree that mammography can save lives, but there are also potential harms. We don't think the evidence supports a blanket recommendation." This dramatically conflicts with recommendations of the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute. There is already disagreement on the new guidelines. Russell Harris of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, thinks "...it's right on target. I would like to see more women stop and think about the decision." The task force issues the federal government's official recommendations on preventative medicine. Just one week ago, the American Cancer Society issued new recommendations that women who have the greatest risk for breast cancer undergo annual MRI exams. Cancer societies believe these new guidelines will cause some women to stop getting screening exams in their 40's.
Robert Smith, director of cancer screening at the American Cancer Society reports that "Mammography is the single most effective way of finding breast cancer early, and when we find breast cancer early, women have the greatest chance of successful treatment." They credit the exams for reducing the death rate of women from breast cancer. Over 210,000 women each year battle breast cancer, and 40,000 women die from the disease. Breast cancer is second to skin cancer as the leading cancer in women. It is the second leading fatal cancer behind lung cancer. Breast cancer tends to be more deadly for women in their 40's.
Still, Owens says, "All we are saying is that women should be informed about the risks and benefits so they can make a decision based on all the facts." Researchers have noted before, that the benefit for women in their 40s is marginal and thousands of women have been overdiagnosed or overtreated. Owens agreed that this may confuse women, but women must be presented with a realistic assessment.