25 Apr Why the Annual Mammogram Matters
LAST week, the American Cancer Society announced changes to its influential guidelines for breast cancer screening. The society no longer recommends that women at average risk between the ages of 40 and 44 have mammograms and advises reducing the frequency of mammograms from every year to every other year for women 55 and older. The group is also recommending ending physical breast examinations by doctors entirely.
We profoundly disagree with these changes. All three of us, two breast radiologists and one breast surgeon, have been named “Mothers of the Year” by the American Cancer Society in recognition of our roles as mothers and physicians who have devoted our professional lives to the fight against breast cancer. One of us, Dr. Drossman, received her award the day before the new guidelines were issued…
