For many years, women have been advised to perform regular breast self-exams and get regular – often annual – mammograms as they approach 50. This was especially pertinent for those women at higher risk of developing the disease.
That advice was left on a teeter-totter this week with conflicting opinions from two national health researchers.
On Monday, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care issued a revised summary of recommendations for clinicians and policy-makers that included regular screenings every two to three years only for women aged 50 to 74 years who have an average risk of breast cancer (i.e. no personal or family history of the disease).
Later that same day, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) issued its response in the form of a news release. Their announcement says scientific evidence still supports breast cancer screening for women as young as 40.
“The fact is scientific evidence demonstrates that earlier detection and diagnosis can save lives among women 40 to 49 by at least 25 per cent,” explained Sandra Palmaro, the CEO of the Ontario chapter of the CBCF.
She added that screening could also aid in the early detection of smaller tumours that haven’t spread. The common wisdom with health practitioners is that this is the very key to improve the success rate of treatment and to reduce the odds of disability and death. This position is also consistent with the breast cancer screening guidelines from the National Cancer Institute, the American Cancer Society, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, all of which recommend that women begin screening at 40 years of age.
The foundation further criticized the task force for using data from studies conducted 25 to 40 years ago using equipment that is now outdated.
Women in the 40 to 49 age group are eligible to participate in the foundation’s organized screening program in Alberta. Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Canadian women, with statistics indicating that about one in six women who die from the disease are diagnosed in their 40s.
“We simply cannot afford to see missed opportunities for earlier detection,” Palmaro concluded.
Mammography, the CBCF admits, does have limitations but it believes that those are far outweighed by the benefits. It continues to encourage women to be informed about breast cancer screening and to determine what is right for them.
Its website (www.cbcf.org) stipulates that the evidence is not clear for screening mammograms in women who are under age 50 or over age 70 and that guidelines vary across the country.
It reminds women: “Remember that the time to go for screening mammograms is when you feel fine and do not have any breast symptoms. If you are ever worried about a breast problem, whatever your age, see your doctor.”
The Alberta Breast Cancer Screening Program can be contacted at 1-866-727-3926. It is available to women aged 40 to 69, but women can access the program without a doctor’s reference if they are 50 or older. Mobile services are also available.
