Group Health Mammogram Recommendation Remains Unchanged

Nov. 17, 2009

Group Health will make no immediate changes to its guideline for breast cancer screening. Our clinical experts will review the new U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations in early 2010 and determine if we need to make changes.

The USPSTF recently published updated recommendations for breast cancer screening. Major changes in its recommendations include:

  • Mammograms are no longer routinely recommended for women aged 40 to 49 who are not at high risk for breast cancer. The decision to start mammography should be an individual decision.
  • Routine mammograms are recommended every 2 years, rather than every year, for women aged 50 to 74.
  • Teaching the breast self-exam is no longer recommended.

The new USPSTF recommendation for women aged 40 to 49 differs from Group Health's screening guideline. The 2-year mammogram schedule for women aged 50 to 74 at average risk is consistent with Group Health recommendations.

What Does This Mean for You?

Continue to follow your screening schedule. If you aren't currently on a schedule for breast cancer screening, see our guideline above.

"Women who are concerned about screening for breast cancer are encouraged to talk to their primary care physician," said Dr. Janet Chestnut, an oncologist practicing at the Riverfront Center in Spokane and the co-chair for the Integrated Cancer Screening Team for Group Health.

About the Changes

The USPSTF is a group of health experts who review published research and make recommendations about preventive care. The USPSTF has found that:

  • Routinely screening women aged 40 to 49 increases the chance that they will have an incorrect test result, known as a false-positive test result. False-positive results are usually caused by denser breast tissue found in younger women. False-positive results lead to unnecessary tests and procedures that could be harmful to the patient.
  • Routine screening can lead to an overdiagnosis of breast cancer. Some tumors found by mammography pose little harm, but lead to a diagnosis of breast cancer and unnecessary treatment, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
  • The benefit in doing mammograms every 2 years is nearly the same as the benefit in doing it every year.
  • There is no evidence to show a benefit in doing breast self-exams.

Recommendations for women aged 74 and older have remained the same. The decision to continue or stop having mammograms should be based on the person's situation and personal preference.

We encourage you to talk with your physician about breast cancer screening if you have any questions or concerns. Together, you can decide on a mammogram schedule that's right for you, based on the benefits and risks of screening.