(Press-News.org) Two new studies reveal that the United States Preventative Services Task Force's (USPSTF) recommendation to no longer screen women ages 40-49 for breast cancer using mammograms has begun to negatively affect the number of yearly mammograms performed in this age group and thus decrease the benefits of early detection.
After the USPSTF delivered their recommendations in November 2009, researchers at the University of Colorado saw a significant drop in mammograms in women in the 40-49 age range. "In the nine months after the guidelines, we saw 205 fewer women in the 40-49 age group than we did the previous year," says Dr. Lara Hardesty, lead researcher for this study.
Similarly, researchers at the University Hospitals at Case Medical Center conducted a retrospective review to determine the potential impact of forgoing screening mammograms in this patient population. "These guidelines greatly concerned us, especially for our patients and primary physicians, says Dr. Donna Plecha. "We know that when patients are screened earlier, they have a better prognosis for detection and treatment."
In the study at the University Hospitals at Case Medical Center, out of the 524 biopsies performed, 108 cases of cancer were diagnosed. Cancers found in the 40-49-year-old patients who underwent screening mammography presented at a much earlier stage of breast cancer than those patients who did not have screening mammograms. Dr. Plecha believes that if primary physicians and patients begin following the USPSTF's guidelines, survival rates in this population will decline. She says "Seventy percent of women who are diagnosed with breast cancer don't have a family history of breast cancer. It's very important that we continue to do all that we can to catch breast cancer in the earliest stages so that we can continue to save lives."
Dr. Hardesty also stresses the importance of emphasizing the benefits of yearly mammograms to 40-49 year old patients and physicians alike. She says, "We must continue to get the message out to our patients and make sure that referring providers understand our recommendations because they are the ones who are influencing patients in that age group."
Dr. Hardesty and Dr. Plecha will deliver presentations on their studies on Monday, May 2, 2011 at the 2011 ARRS Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
### END
New studies show negative effects from revised mammography recommendation for women, ages 40-49
2011-05-02
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
HIV risk in young black males
2011-05-02
DENVER – New research is shedding light on why young black males who have sex with males have among the highest rates of HIV infection in the United States, even though their reported use of condoms is similar to males of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
A key factor may be black men's cultural beliefs about masculinity, which may influence how they choose their sex partners, make judgments about HIV risk and make decisions about condom use, according to a study to be presented Monday, May 2, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Denver.
Young ...
Global Fiberglass Solutions, Inc. Announces Initial List of States for Green Environmental Plants
2011-05-02
Global Fiberglass Solutions, Inc., Bellevue, WA based company announces that it is now narrowed down a preliminary list of states that it will introduce its new technology to build and manage facilities to collect and recycle fiberglass on a national basis, once collected will employ up to approximately 250 workers per plant.
The technology and process is proprietary and not being utilized by any other company or government agency, this will change the way fiberglass and other previously non-recyclable materials will be disposed of and save landfills from hundreds of ...
Parents have role in smoking prevention
2011-05-02
DENVER – Parents shouldn't let up when it comes to discouraging their kids from smoking.
That's the message of a study to be presented Monday, May 2, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Denver.
Previous research has shown that parents can deter adolescents from smoking by monitoring them and enforcing anti-smoking practices at home. Researchers, led by E. Melinda Mahabee-Gittens, MD, an emergency medicine physician at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, sought to determine if family factors continue to protect adolescents as they ...
'It costs too much to be healthy'
2011-05-02
VIDEO:
The high cost of health care is deterring parents from taking their children to the doctor or buying prescription medication, regardless of how much money they make or whether they...
Click here for more information.
DENVER – The high cost of health care is deterring parents from taking their children to the doctor or buying prescription medication, regardless of how much money they make or whether they have health insurance, according to a study to be presented Sunday, ...
KDH Defense Systems, Inc. Announces $1000 On-line Contest: Share Your Story of How Body Armor Saved Your Life
2011-05-02
KDH Defense Systems, Inc. (KDH), a leading manufacturer of American-made custom body armor solutions for military, law enforcement and federal agencies, today announced that the Company will sponsor an online promotion, "Body Armor Saves Lives - Save Story Contest," where law enforcement officers, federal agents, Soldiers and Marines can share their personal stories of how body armor saved their lives.
"In recent months, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty," stated David Herbener, President ...
Injured children may not be getting best possible care
2011-05-02
DENVER – Most injured children are not being treated at pediatric trauma centers, arguably the most appropriate location of care for young patients, according to a study to be presented Monday, May 2, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Denver.
Regional trauma centers, especially those with pediatric qualifications, have resources and expertise to provide emergency medical services to young patients with severe and life-threatening injuries. Trauma centers are designated as Levels I through IV, with Level I centers capable of providing the highest ...
Wishful thinking
2011-05-02
DENVER – Trying to figure out what's going on inside the mind of an adolescent can be challenging, to say the least. A new study shows that simply asking them what they wish for could be eye-opening.
The question: "If you could have three wishes, what would they be?" is included on a questionnaire designed to be given to adolescent patients before a doctor's visit. The survey, which is part of the American Medical Association's Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services program, also includes questions about medical history, health, school, safety and substance use. ...
Early nutrition has a long-term metabolic impact
2011-05-02
DENVER – Nutrition during the first days or weeks of life may have long-term consequences on health, potentially via a phenomenon known as the metabolic programming effect, according to a study to be presented Monday, May 2, at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Denver.
Metabolic programming is the concept that differences in nutritional experiences at critical periods early in life can program a person's metabolism and health for the future.
In this study, researchers compared growth, body composition and blood pressure in three groups of healthy, ...
Higher HIV risk in black gay men linked to partner choice, risk perception
2011-05-02
Young black men who have sex with men (MSM) get infected with HIV nearly five times more often than MSM from other races, even though they don't have more unprotected sex.
The discrepancy has long mystified public health experts but a new study by investigators at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere now offers a possible explanation for it.
The study found that young black MSM -- a group that includes openly gay and bisexual men, as well as those who have sex with men but do not identify themselves as gay or bisexual -- select partners and judge these partners' HIV status in ...
ACR white paper prepares radiologists for participation in accountable care organizations
2011-05-02
Reston, VA (April 28, 2011) — The latest American College of Radiology white paper, Strategies for Radiologists in the Era of Health Care Reform and Accountable Care Organizations, published in the May issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology, offers strategies for successful radiologist participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs). ACOs are intended to create incentives for health care providers to work together to treat an individual patient across care settings — including doctor's offices, hospitals and long-term care facilities.
There ...