Health
Groups differ on when to begin mammography screening
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 6, 2007
Conflicting guidelines have been released concerning age for beginning regular mammograms, noted an article in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, published by the American Cancer Society. The cancer society indicated that it stands by its recommendation that women in their 40s get regular mammograms.
In April, the American College of Physicians published guidelines in the Annals of Internal Medicine that suggest individual risk for breast cancer be factored into a decision to begin screenings before age 50 and that a blanket recommendation for women in their 40s isn't supported by evidence.
Other groups that recommend mammograms every one or two years for women in their 40s include the United States Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/08/06/hlbf0806.htm.