A major health advisory panel issued new breast cancer screening guidelines for women that would put off a first mammogram until age 50.

   The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is saying routine mammograms aren't needed for women in their 40s.
   The panel also recommends the screening only be done for women aged 50 to 74 every other year.

   The task force insists it's trying to protect women from the harm of  false-positives and the worry and cost of extra tests.
   The task force also found no evidence that breast self exams done by a woman or her doctor reduces the rate of breast cancer deaths.

   They're recommending against teaching women how to do those exams on themselves.

   There is not enough evidence, according to the guidelines, that newer types of screening including digital mammography are any better than regular film mammograms.

     Reaction to new guidelines has been quick and harsh.
    Dr. Daniel Kopans, professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School, called the new guidelines "scientifically unjustified."  Kopans said, quote, "if you look at their guidelines, they are saying, Don't examine yourself, don't let anyone else examine you, and don't get a mammogram."  He said the result could be a big cancer that you can't ignore anymore.

   The American Cancer Society said it will stick with its recommendation that women begin screening at age 40 and get a mammogram every year.

   Dr. Carol Lee, chair of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Commission said the recommendations, quote, "ignore valid scientific data and place a great many women at risk of dying unnecessarily."  Lee added, quote, "the recommendations appear to reflect a conscious decision to ration care."

    Doctors say the mixed messages will only confuse patients. "If the doctors and researchers can't decide, how am I going to decide?" askis Dr. Freya Schnabel of NYU's Langone Medical Center."

    The guidelines do not apply to high risk women.  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in females in the U.S.   There are 192,000 new cases this year.



   (Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)