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. 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.
