16 February 2016 | Albert L. Siu, MD, MSPH, on behalf of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force*
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated its recommendation on breast cancer screening. The new recommendation suggests biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. For women aged 40 to 49 years, the decision to start screening should be individualized, considering the potential benefits and harms. The USPSTF concludes that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older, as well as for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and adjunctive screening methods such as breast ultrasonography and MRI in women with dense breasts. The recommendations apply to asymptomatic women aged 40 years or older who do not have pre-existing breast cancer or a high-risk lesion and are not at high risk due to genetic mutations or a history of chest radiation at a young age. The USPSTF emphasizes the importance of balancing the benefits and harms of screening, noting that while screening can reduce breast cancer mortality, it also carries risks such as overdiagnosis and overtreatment.The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has updated its recommendation on breast cancer screening. The new recommendation suggests biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. For women aged 40 to 49 years, the decision to start screening should be individualized, considering the potential benefits and harms. The USPSTF concludes that there is insufficient evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening mammography in women aged 75 years or older, as well as for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and adjunctive screening methods such as breast ultrasonography and MRI in women with dense breasts. The recommendations apply to asymptomatic women aged 40 years or older who do not have pre-existing breast cancer or a high-risk lesion and are not at high risk due to genetic mutations or a history of chest radiation at a young age. The USPSTF emphasizes the importance of balancing the benefits and harms of screening, noting that while screening can reduce breast cancer mortality, it also carries risks such as overdiagnosis and overtreatment.