Mammograms: More New Screening Guidelines

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists now recommends annual screening beginning at age 40.

Previous guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended screening every 1 to 2 years for women in their 40s and annual screens beginning at age 50 (JW Womens Health Apr 21 2011). Now, two critical observations have provided the underpinnings for the ACOG's decision to recommend annual screening for women in their 40s:

Mean sojourn time (the period during which tumors can be detected by screening before they become symptomatic) is shorter in women who are younger than 50 compared with older women. More-aggressive tumors characteristically have shorter sojourn times.
Reductions in mortality associated with screening are similar for women in their 40s and 50s.

More-frequent screening is associated with …

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Mammograms: More New Screening Guidelines

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Reviewing Author