New Report Says Mammography Saves Women's Lives
Mammography offers the greatest potential for reducing the number of deaths in the U.S. from breast cancer, according to a new study from the Institute of Medicine, a federal advisory group on science and medicine. Though not perfect, mammography is still the best choice for screening the general population to detect cancer at early and treatable stages, said the report.
Clinical studies have shown that screening reduces mortality from breast cancer by 20 to 30 percent. Studies conducted in community settings have found that the reduction can be close to 50 percent, according to the report.
One of the biggest problems today is that access to breast cancer screening is endangered due to a shortage of breast imaging specialists, said the report. Among the reasons cited for the shortage are heavy regulation, fear of lawsuits, and low reimbursement. The study also reported that mammography facilities are closing faster than new ones are opening. As a result, the time that many women have to wait for first-time mammograms is increasing rapidly.
The report, entitled "Saving Women's Lives: Strategies for Improving Breast Cancer Detection and Diagnosis," was issued by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. The complete report is available at http://www.nap.edu/books/0309092132/html/.
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