Altered Approach to Mammographic Screening for Breast Cancer

Although mammographic screening clearly has lowered breast cancer mortality, the most efficacious approach to screening is unclear. After systematically reviewing results of randomized trials and statistical models of screening effects, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated its 2002 guideline (JW Gen Med Mar 19 2002) that recommended screening mammography every 1 to 2 years for all women older than 40. Importantly, the 2009 recommendations (JW Womens Health Nov 16 2009) do not apply to women who are at excess risk for breast cancer because of known genetic mutations or histories of chest radiation, because insufficient evidence is available to make recommendations for this group.

The first change in the 2009 USPSTF guideli…