Why have the US Preventive Services Task Force’s new guidelines for breast cancer screening cast doubt on previous, long-standing recommendations that women over the age of 40 get routine mammograms and that all women should perform regular breast self-exams? On what evidence did the Task Force base their guidelines?
Thinking Passage: Treating Breast Cancer
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The USPSTF's new guidelines cast doubt on previous recommendations for routine mammograms for women in their 40s because of the potential harms of screening, such as false positives and overdiagnosis. False positives can lead to unnecessary anxiety and invasive procedures, such as biopsies. Overdiagnosis can lead to treatment for cancer that would never have caused harm if left untreated.
The USPSTF based its guidelines on a review of the scientific evidence on breast cancer screening. The review found that mammograms do reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer, but the benefits are small for women in their 40s. The review also found that the harms of screening are greater for women in their 40s than for women in their 50s and 60s.
The USPSTF's new guidelines have been met with mixed reactions. Some experts have praised the guidelines for being more balanced and evidence-based. Others have criticized the guidelines for being too cautious and for potentially leading to more women dying from breast cancer.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to get a mammogram is a personal one that should be made between a woman and her doctor. The USPSTF's guidelines should be used as a starting point for this discussion.