Dr. Norton’s Mammography Blog

According to data from the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) only 58% of US women aged 40 and older had a mammogram within the last year.  The percent of women aged 40 and older who had a mammogram within two years increased from 29% in 1987 to 70% in 2000 and remained stable through 2003.  However, since that time mammography utilization has decreased.  In 2005, the screening rate was 4% lower than in 2000.  How can this be when we know from large international studies that annual mammography performed on women over 40 reduces breast cancer mortality up to 40%?

There are multiple reasons for this decreased utilization.  Socio-economic status affects screening rates.  Women with less than a high school education; those without health insurance; and immigrants are less likely to undergo regular mammography.  Access to services is also a problem.  The number of breast imaging facilities has not kept up with the growing U.S. population of women over 40.   Additionally, many breast imaging facilities have closed due to lack of personnel, financial constraints and malpractice concerns.  This has occurred in a face of a screening population that grew by 24 million between 1990 and 2000.  Finally, many women remain fearful of the mammogram examination itself with some complaining about discomfort and a few even believing that the exam itself can cause cancer.

The solutions to the problem of falling utilization will not be easy and will require not only increased education regarding the benefits of mammography, but also the need to provide more convenient access for all eligible women must be addressed.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 24th, 2008 at 4:19 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.