White House Takes Aim at Critics of New Breast Cancer Guidelines

White House Takes Aim at Critics of New Breast Cancer Guidelines - FOXNews.com

The USPSTF, which reports to the Department of Health and Human Services, released its updated 2009 guidelines on Monday. It recommended against routine screening of women aged 40 to 49 years -- despite acknowledging evidence in the report that mammograms have reduced the mortality rate in younger women.
The task force advises that women aged 50 to 74 receive mammograms every other year and recommends against teaching breast self-examinations. The task force recommended in 2002 that all women over 40 should undergo a mammography every one to two years.
The panel says the recommendations apply to women 40 years or older "who are not at increased risk for breast cancer by virtue of a known underlying genetic mutation or a history of chest radiation."
In response, the American Cancer Society issued a statement Tuesday saying it still recommends annual mammograms for women 40 and over.
"Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF did not consider," ACS said. "The USPSTF says that screening 1,339 women in their 50s to save one life makes screening worthwhile in that age group. Yet USPSTF also says screening 1,904 women ages 40 to 49 in order to save one life is not worthwhile. ... With its new recommendations, the USPSTF is essentially telling women that mammography at age 40 to 49 saves lives; just not enough of them."