"Women Turning 40 Should Get Annual Breast Cancer Screenings"…40% Reduction in Mortality Rate

"Awareness Needed That Medical Checkup Benefits Are Tremendous"

A study has drawn attention by showing that the most effective way to minimize breast cancer risk is to undergo breast cancer screening annually from age 40 to at least 79.

On the 20th (local time), a team led by Professor Debra Monticciolo from Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA, announced in a report published in the North American Radiological Society journal 'Radiology' that they obtained these results through a comparative study.

Breast Cancer Screening [Image Source=USPSTF Homepage]

The research team compared four breast cancer screening guidelines used in the United States. Breast cancer is a common disease, ranking second among causes of cancer death in American women, but it is known that only about 50% or less of the women eligible for screening undergo it annually.

Professor Monticciolo, who led the study, explained the background of the research, saying, "Since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended in 2009 that women start screening for breast cancer every two years from age 50, participation in screening has decreased. The debate over breast cancer screening recommendations, especially how often screening should be done, continues."

Currently, the USPSTF has issued new guidelines recommending biennial screening for women aged 40 to 74. In contrast, three organizations?the American College of Radiology, the Society of Breast Imaging, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network?recommend annual screening for women aged 40 and older.

The research team used statistical models to directly compare and analyze the effects of four screening guidelines: biennial screening for ages 50 to 74, biennial screening for ages 40 to 74, annual screening for ages 40 to 74, and annual screening for ages 40 to 79.

As a result, the guideline that showed the greatest reduction in breast cancer mortality was annual screening from ages 40 to 79. Following this guideline reduces mortality by as much as 41.7%. In contrast, biennial screening for ages 50 to 74 and 40 to 74 reduced mortality by only 25.4% and 30%, respectively.

Professor Monticciolo emphasized the significance of the study results, stating, "The most important implication is that starting screening at age 40 and continuing annually until at least age 79 can prevent breast cancer and reduce mortality. Continuing screening beyond age 79 would provide even greater benefits."

He also urged, "I hope primary care physicians recognize that the risks of breast cancer screening are manageable and that the benefits are tremendous."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.