ACP Guideline Discourages Breast Cancer Screening for Average-Risk Women in Their 40s

By the Editors

The American College of Physicians offers a guideline for breast cancer screening in asymptomatic, average-risk women in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Here are the four main recommendations for clinicians:

• For women aged 40 to 49, discuss mammography's benefits and risks. For most women, the potential harms outweigh the benefits.

• Between ages 50 and 74, offer biennial mammography.

• At age 75 and above — or when life expectancy is 10 years or less — discontinue screening.

• At all ages, don't use clinical breast exams as screening tools.

Dr. Andrew Kaunitz of NEJM Journal Watch Women's Health takes a closer look at the guideline at the first link below. Have a look.