Susan G. Komen for the Cure? continues to recommend annual
mammography beginning at age 40 for women of average risk and earlier
for women with known risks for breast cancer. 

(For more information,
please read Komen for the Cure’s current screening guidelines.)
http://www.komennyc.org/site/R?i=MuEKj0C1Tu2MYqbs8xjCaA..

While there is some disagreement about when mammograms should begin
and on what schedule, all agree, including the USPSTF, that mammograms
save lives in women 40 to 49 as well as over 50.  We would not want to
see a change in policy or reimbursement for screening mammography at
this time. We are also constantly evaluating our guidelines and would
not change them without serious consideration.

Furthermore we continue to recommend self-breast awareness and
physician examination. Many breast cancers are diagnosed and treated
in a timely fashion because women feel lumps or find other
abnormalities on self-examination, which lead them to seek medical
attention and evaluation.  In our large nation of diverse cultures,
ethnicities and levels of education, it is very important that we
continue to inform women about and help to demystify issues around
breast health.

It is also very important to emphasize that the new guidelines are not
intended for women who have already been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Women with a family history of breast cancer or other significant
risk factors should also continue to have regular screening.

We must not lose sight of the critically important fact that one-third
of the women who qualify for screening under today’s guidelines
are not being screened due to lack of access, education or awareness.
That issue needs continued focus and attention: if we can make
progress with screening in vulnerable populations, we could make more
progress in the fight against breast cancer.

Mammograms aren’t perfect but they are our best tool for early
detection and risk assessment. More research is needed to identify
screening tools that will be more sensitive and specific than
mammography.  It is possible that in the future guidelines for
screening will be tailored to the individual. But until then, we must
rely on our best screening tool: mammography. Komen strongly urges
women to continue breast self awareness, regular physician
examination, and screening mammography.

I hope this information is helpful to you. I am also enclosing the
following links that I think might be of interest to you on this
topic:

*  The official Komen release on the subject
http://www.komennyc.org/site/R?i=UJhVKGlwPd-4DepqB9LfpA..

*  Comments from the Komen Scientific Advisory Board

http://www.komennyc.org/site/R?i=Xe51TPVqYoH9s5XSuNMcbg..

* 

A question-and-answer document about the USPSTF report

http://www.komennyc.org/site/R?i=5o9tL9HIc9APNrWC6Bj7cw..

*  Statement from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.komennyc.org/site/R?i=UJO2p8mpeEj1I17-HrMEKA..

*  Statement from Cong. Donna M. Christensen
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Be well and stay well,

Dara

Dara Richardson-Heron, MD
Chief Executive Officer
The Greater New York City Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure