NBCC: Revised USPSTF guidelines will put screening and its limitations into proper perspective

Nov 18 2009

Revised guidelines corroborate NBCC's long-held evidence-based positions that breast self examination does not save lives and that mammography screening should be a personal choice, not a public health message

For over a decade, National Breast Cancer Coalition has held the position that over-emphasis on the importance of breast cancer screening, despite a lack of strong evidence, has been elevated to such a degree that some even equate screening with prevention.

NBCC hopes that yesterday's release of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) revised recommendations will put screening and its limitations into proper perspective. The revised USPSTF guidelines recommend against universal screening mammography for women aged 40-49, recommend every other year screening for women 50-74, rather than annual screening, and recommend against teaching breast self-examination.

"We hope that policy makers, the public and the health care community will take the time to carefully analyze the basis of the revised recommendations. Women have been given different messages for years, but unfortunately those messages were not based on strong evidence," said NBCC president, Fran Visco. "Women deserve the truth even when it is complicated. They can accept it."

Everyone deserves to know the facts and has the right to make informed decisions regarding their health care. NBCC encourages women to make informed decisions regarding screening based on the actual evidence. To learn more about the myths and truths concerning breast cancer and screening, and to find out how to take action against this disease, visit StopBreastCancer.org.

SOURCE National Breast Cancer Coalition