Mammograms are Still Effective

To the Editors:

Over the past few weeks, several published reports have raised doubts about whether mammography reduces the death rate for breast cancer. Statisticians and scientists will continue to debate this issue for years. Experts at the American Cancer Society feel that, taken as a whole, the scientific evidence still supports the recommendation that women over the age of 40 should have yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer. All women over the age of 20 should also have regular clinical breast exams and perform monthly self-exams.
Experts agree that mammograms can lead to the discovery of breast cancer at an early stage. This certainly increases the number of treatment options available to these women. Also, the chance for a cure of early breast cancer is much greater than for breast cancer found at a later stage. Of course, mammography is not a perfect test and some breast cancers may not be detected soon enough before they grow rapidly and spread to other organs. This is why breast cancer remains a major priority for the American Cancer Society. We are committed to further research on this disease and educating women and physicians about the most effective screening guidelines.
The American Cancer Society believes that we should use the best tools we have now, while we continue to invest funds into research efforts to find better solutions for breast and other cancers. You can be certain that we will continue to monitor scientific advancements and make appropriate adjustments to current cancer screening guidelines when this is warranted.
We have made many leaps forward in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. I would hope that the recent controversial reports about mammography do not force us to take a giant step backward. Women should continue to talk with their doctors about the importance of regular mammograms. For more information about cancer and the latest screening guidelines, feel free to contact the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour information line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or on the web at www.cancer.org.

–Robert T. Brodell, M.D.
Chief Medical Spokesperson and President
American Cancer Society,
Ohio Division