Mammogram Debate

In October 2015, a new era in women’s healthcare began in the United States.  The American Cancer Society released new guidelines, recommending that women receive annual screening mammograms between the ages of 45 and 55, and then every other year after the age of 55.   This differs from their original criteria, which stated that women should get annual mammograms starting at the age of 40.  

The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging agree with the original standards, and argue that the new guidelines contradict the research that has regularly appeared in medical journals.  That is, early detection is the best prevention against breast cancer.  A recent article in the New York Times has also recently condemned the new standards.  

Is breast cancer detection continually being undermined by the insurance companies to increase their bottom line, at the expense of early detection?  Are women’s medical rights continually being eroded by the government and insurance companies?  Ninety percent of breast cancer survivors, as reported in the medical journals, have survived due to early detection.  

With new technology, such as 3D mammography and full breast ultrasound, continuously proving to increase early detection and to save lives, we at Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology strongly agree with the American College of Radiology and will continue to recommend that women receive annual mammograms beginning at age 40.