黑料大湿Posts

The 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society (ACS) has created guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer. These guidelines are regularly reviewed and updated as new research findings and screening technology become available. Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about current breast cancer screening guideline.

How do I find out my breast cancer risk level?

The ACS breast cancer screening guideline is for women at average risk of breast cancer. It’s important to know your risk for breast cancer so you can get screened as needed.

How do I know whether I am at average or high risk?

The best way to determine whether you are at average or high risk for breast cancer is to talk with your healthcare provider about your family history and your personal medical history. In general, women at high risk for breast cancer include women with a:

• Family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or daughter)
• Inherited gene mutation, such as BRCA1 or BRCA2
• Personal history of breast cancer

What if I am at high risk?

The 黑料大湿Posts Cancer Society has separate recommendations for women at high risk for breast cancer.

Why were the breast cancer screening age ranges selected?

The screening ages in the ACS guideline were recommended after reviewing the best available scientific evidence. Screening at the recommended ages aims to achieve the greatest lifesaving benefit from screening while reducing the possible harms.

Why does the guideline say routine screening should start at 45 with the option to start at 40?

Research shows that screening with mammograms in women ages 40 to 44 has  limitations. It is more likely to lead to:

• False positives, where a mammogram looks abnormal but there is no cancer
• Extra tests or procedures, such as biopsies, that turn out not to find cancer

Because of the balance of benefits and harms, ACS does not recommend routine screening for all women in this age group. Instead, women ages 40 to 44 can choose to start screening with yearly mammograms every year after talking with their healthcare provider and deciding that the possible benefits are worth the potential harms.

Women ages 40 to 44 have a lower risk of breast cancer than older women. By age 45, the benefits of screening are greater, so yearly mammograms are recommended starting at this age.

What about regular screening for women in their 30s and younger?

Although tragic, breast cancer is rare in women in their 30s. Current screening guidelines for women at average risk of breast cancer do not recommend routine screening in this age group because the possible harms outweigh the potential benefits.

Studies also have not shown that routine screening for women under 40 lowers the risk of dying from breast cancer.

However, women at high risk of breast cancer should likely start regular breast cancer screening around age 30 or as recommended by their doctor.

No matter your age, if you have concerns about your breast health or notice any changes, talk with your doctor.

Why does the guideline say women can choose to start screening every 2 years at age 55?

Although breast cancer becomes more common in women after menopause, it often grows more slowly and can be easier to find because breast tissue is usually less dense.

Because most women are postmenopausal by age 55 and because research has not shown a clear benefit of yearly screening in this age group, the ACS guidelines committee concluded that women should move to screening every 2 years starting at age 55. However, women can choose to continue screening every year after age 55 based on their preferences.

Why aren’t screening methods beyond standard mammography mentioned in the guideline?

Standard mammography is the best-studied, most reliable breast cancer screening method. At the time the guideline was created, there was not enough evidence that other screening methods were beneficial to include them in the ACS guideline.

Why is a clinical breast exam not recommended in the guideline?

Clinical breast examination (CBE) is a physical exam done by a healthcare provider. In the past, CBE helped find some breast cancers, but studies now show that it adds little benefit when regular mammograms are available and women are aware of breast cancer symptoms. CBE can also lead to more false-positive results and unnecessary follow-up tests.  

Because of this, ACS does not recommend CBE as a routine breast cancer screening test for women in the United States. Some healthcare providers may still offer CBE, and some women might choose to have one. However, CBE should not be used in place of mammography, which remains the recommended screening test.

Why is breast self-exam not recommended in the guideline?

Research has not shown that regular BSE lowers the risk of dying from breast cancer. However, it is important to know how your breasts normally look and feel and to report any changes to a healthcare provider right away. This is especially important if you notice a breast change at some point in between your regular mammograms.

Why does the guideline not recommend 3D mammography (tomosynthesis)?

At the time these guidelines were developed, there was not enough research comparing 3D mammograms (digital breast tomosynthesis) with standard 2D mammograms to include them in the review. As more research becomes available, ACS will continue to review the evidence and update its recommendations as needed.

How does the guideline affect insurance coverage for a mammogram?

Insurance coverage for mammograms is often based on recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), not ACS guidelines. ACS believes women ages 40 to 44 and women over the age of 55 should have access to annual mammograms without being charged a copay. Before scheduling a mammogram, check with your health insurance company to see what is covered.

How was the ACS screening guideline developed?

ACS uses a transparent and rigorous process to develop its screening guidelines. The guidelines are created by an independent, voluntary group called the ACS Guideline Development Group (GDG). It consists of clinicians, researchers, biostatisticians, economists, and patient representatives who review the scientific evidence and make recommendations.

The ACS breast cancer screening guideline also used an independent systematic evidence review conducted by the Duke University Evidence Synthesis Group.

Health insurance industry representatives are not part of the GDG and all GDG members must disclose any potential conflicts of interest. The recommendations are based on scientific evidence and do not consider healthcare costs or insurance reimbursement.