As many of you may know, as of November 16, 2009, the US Preventative Services Task Force no longer recommends mammography for women 40-49 of average risk and recommends biennial (every 2 years) mammograms for women 50-74.

          As breast cancer and breast health experts, the physicians of Breast Imaging of Oklahoma disagree with the recommendations of USPSTF and continue to recommend annual screening mammography beginning at age 40.

          The basis behind our recommendation is found by analyzing multiple evidence-based facts. These include:

1. Since the 1990s mammography screening for women beginning at age 40 has lowered the death rate from advanced breast cancer by up to 30% in the U.S.
2. Screening mammography in women ages 40-49 has reduced the mortality rate by 25%, according to many international studies.
3. Seventy-five to 80% of women ages 40-49 with breast cancer have no family history.
4. Breast cancers detected in women under age 60 are often more aggressive cancers.
5. The two biggest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older.
6. Mammography is a low-cost, safe tool for breast cancer screening with minimal radiation exposure.

          Thus, in keeping with the goal of screening mammography, which is to reduce deaths due to breast cancer by detecting breast cancer early, when treatment is more effective and less harmful, we believe it is important for women to continue to follow the accepted screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society. These include annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40. We do not support the recommendations presented by the USPSTF and believe the findings are not in the best interests of women’s health.