By Sara Diamond
Anchor / Medical Reporter / WJHL
Published: November 18, 2009

The study concludes:

-The USPSTF recommends against routine screening mammograms in women age 40-49 years. 
-The group recommends biennial screening mammography for women age 50-74 years.
-Women over 75 years of age may not benefit from regular mammograms.
-The group recommends against teaching Breast Self Exams (SBE).
-Questions the benefits of a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) in women 40 years of age and older.
-Questions the benefits of digital mammography and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) versus film mammography.

I took the results of the study to a radiologist as well as a good friend of mine who is a breast cancer survivor to get their take on the study.

Jocelyn Medina, M.D., a radiologist at Mountain States Health Alliance says with the study’s recommendations, many lives in the Tri-Cities would be at risk.  From this year alone, cancer cases at the Women’s Health and Imaging Center prove her point.

“I can tell you we had 92 cancers diagnosed.  20 of those were between age 37 and 50.  That to me is not an insignificant number,” she said.

The study also doesn’t recommend self-breast examinations as a method of early detection.

Kathi Baty of Johnson City is a 7 year cancer survivor.  She defies both of those recommendations.
“I was 49 years old, the group that they’re talking about that doesn’t need mammograms and I found it on a breast self exam, but was followed up with mammography and all of the wonderful equipment that’s out there to help detect and save your life,” she said.  “And I’m so very thankful for that.”

Medina adds this study sends the wrong message to women, especially in an underserved area like Appalachia.

“You already have people that are sort of suspicious about going to doctors or going and getting care even when they need it, and they secretly know they need it,” she said.  “This doesn’t help that kind of phenomenon at all.”

And groups like Susan G. Komen for the cure see this study as a huge step backward in the fight against breast cancer.  In a written statement, they say:

“While there is no question that mammograms save lives for women over 50 and women 40-49, there is enough uncertainty about the age at which mammography should begin and the frequency of screening that we would not want to see a change in policy for screening mammography at this time.“

A policy Baty says where the benefits far outweigh the risks.

“When you’ve been through what I have as a breast cancer survivor, all the treatments and risks I took to get mammograms to find that and have it removed and be sitting here seven years later talking to you today, very much worth it,” she said.

“The truth is, many women don’t have breast cancer when they’re between 40 and 50,” Medina adds.  “Most women do not.  But we’re afraid we may miss one.  And in my book, if we can find one person and save them from dying from breast cancer, it’s worth it. It’s definitely worth it.”

Media says the American College of Radiology as well as the American Cancer Society do not agree with the USPSTF recommendations, and no changes will be made any time soon.

You can view the full study, as well as the statement from Susan G. Komen for the Cure at keyword “breast cancer.“