Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American women. With timely mammograms for women age 40 and older, approximately 16 percent of all deaths from breast cancer could be prevented, say the nation’s public health advisors. A mammogram detects a lump an average of 1 to 3 years before you can feel it.
The American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology, the American Medical Women’s Association, and numerous national women’s groups recommend that women age 40 and older of average risk should have an annual screening mammogram and clinical breast exam. For younger adult women, the American Cancer Society recommends the following:
Women in their 20s and 30s should have a clinical breast exam as part of their regular health exam, preferably at least every 3 years.
Sources
American Cancer Society. Breast cancer: early detection. Available on the Internet at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/2_6x_breast_cancer_early_detection.asp. Accessed July 15, 2004.
American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society guidelines for breast cancer screening: update 2003. CA Cander J Clin. 2003;53:141-169. Available on the Internet at http://caonline.amcancersoc.org/cg/content/full53/3/141. Accessed August 5, 2004.
American College of Radiology. Breast care guidelines (press release). 2000 Nov. Available on the Internet at http://www.acr.org/dyna/?doc=departments/pub_rel/press_releases/breastcareguide.html. Accessed July 15, 2004.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010, increase proportion receiving mammogram objective 3.13. Available on the Internet at http://www.healthypeople.gov/document/html/objectives/03-13.htm. Accessed July 15, 2004.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, United States Department of Health and Human Services. The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program - reducing mortality through screening (2003 program fact sheet). Revised 2004 May. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/about.htm. Accessed July 15, 2004.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Table 80: use of mammography for women 40 years of age and over according to selected characteristics: United States, selected years 1987-2000. Health, United States 2003. Available on the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hus/womens.htm. Accessed August 6, 2004.
United States Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for breast cancer: recommendations and rationale (release date: 2002 Feb). Ann Intern Med 2002 Sep 3;137(5 Part 1):344-346. Available on the Internet from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality at http://www.ahcpr.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm. Accessed July 15, 2004.
