AJR

United States Preventive Services Task Force Screening Mammography Recommendations: Science Ignored
R. Edward Hendrick and Mark A. Helvie
AJR 2011; 196:112-116

Link to Journal


Averaged over the six Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network models of benefit, screening mammography shows greatest benefit—a 39.6% mortality reduction—from annual screening of women 40–84 years old. This screening regimen saves 71% more lives than the USPSTF-recommended regimen of biennial screening of women 50–74 years old, which had a 23.2% mortality reduction. For U.S. women currently 30–39 years old, annual screening mammography from ages 40–84 years would save 99,829 more lives than USPSTF recommendations if all women comply, and 64,889 more lives with the current 65% compliance rate. The potential harms of a screening examination in women 40–49 years old, on average, consist of the risk of a recall for diagnostic workup every 12 years, a negative biopsy every 149 years, a missed breast cancer every 1,000 years, and a fatal radiation-induced breast cancer every 76,000–97,000 years. Evidence made available to the USPSTF strongly supports the mortality benefit of annual screening mammography beginning at age 40 years, whereas potential harms of screening with this regimen are minor.