In Reversal, Expert Panel Recommends Breast Cancer Screening at 40
In Reversal, Expert Panel Recommends Breast Cancer Screening at 40 The New York Times
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Expert Panel Recommends Earlier Mammography Screening to Address Rising Breast Cancer Rates
Some researchers said the advice did not go far enough. The panel also declined to recommend extra scans for women with dense breast tissue.
An expert panel on Tuesday recommended starting regular mammography screening at age 40, reversing longstanding and controversial guidance that most women wait until 50.
The panel, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, finalized a draft recommendation made public last year. The group issues influential advice on preventive health, and its recommendations usually are widely adopted in the United States.
In 2009, the task force raised the age for starting routine mammograms to 50 from 40, sparking wide controversy. At the time, researchers were concerned that earlier screening would do more harm than good, leading to unnecessary treatment in younger women, including alarming findings that lead to anxiety-producing procedures that are invasive but ultimately unnecessary.
But now breast cancer rates among women in their 40s are on the rise, increasing by 2 percent a year between 2015 and 2019, said Dr. John Wong, vice chair of the task force. The panel continues to recommend screening every two years for women at average risk of breast cancer, though many patients and providers prefer annual screening.
There is clear evidence that starting screening every other year at age 40 provides sufficient benefit that we should recommend it for all women in this country to help them live longer and have a better quality of life,” said Dr. Wong, a primary care clinician at Tufts Medical Center who is the director of comparative effectiveness research for the Tufts Clinical Translational Science Institute.
The recommendations have come under harsh criticism from some women’s health advocates, including Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut, and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democrat of Florida, who say the advice does not go far enough.
Citing Rising Breast Cancer Rates in Young Women
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses recommendations for mammography screening to address rising breast cancer rates in young women. This aligns with SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
The article highlights the need for regular mammography screening starting at age 40 to detect breast cancer early and reduce premature mortality from the disease. This aligns with Target 3.4 of SDG 3.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease.
The article mentions the rising breast cancer rates among women in their 40s. Monitoring the mortality rate attributed to breast cancer can serve as an indicator to measure progress towards reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including breast cancer.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease. |
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Fuente: nytimes.com
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