Most Women In Their 40s Say They Will Ignore New Government Recommendations For Mammograms

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 02 Dec 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Now that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) says that most women do not need mammograms until they are 50, will American women heed its advice? A recent survey indicates that over two-thirds of women aged 40 to 49 say they will continue an annual mammography regimen, and some will do so even if they have to pay for the tests themselves.

In an online poll conducted between November 19 and 24 by Harris Interactive on behalf of LifeBridge Health, 67 percent of U.S. women ages 40 to 49 said they will get an annual mammogram despite the new USPSTF recommendations. Of women in this age group, 44 percent will get mammograms only if their insurance plans or someone else pays for them, and 23 percent said they will get them even if they have to pay out-of-pocket for the test. Only 4 percent said they would not be getting mammograms in their 40s because of the USPSTF's new recommendations, and 17 percent said they would not get mammograms regardless of the new recommendations. Two percent declined to answer the question, and one out of every 10 women in this age group was unsure what she would do. Experts are concerned that the new USPSTF mammography recommendations may give women an excuse not to get regular screening mammograms.

"Practice guidelines that postpone mammographic screening and eradicate self and clinical examinations will have detrimental impacts on early diagnosis and cancer survival," says Dawn Leonard, M.D., breast surgeon and medical director of the Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center at LifeBridge Health's Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Md. Dr. Leonard sees many younger women who have breast cancer, particularly African American women who have a higher risk of getting breast cancer at an earlier age. While overall the incidence of breast cancer in African American populations is slightly lower than in Caucasian populations, African Americans have a higher breast cancer mortality rate than other racial groups. When detected at Stage 1 or earlier, breast cancer survival rates are quite high up to 98 percent, explains Dr. Leonard. She adds that mammography has the potential to detect breast cancers long before they are large enough to be palpable or felt through clinical or self breast exams.

"The medical community and the advocacy community have worked tirelessly since the '70s to empower women to be more aware of their breast health needs and to make choices that improve breast cancer survival," Dr. Leonard says. "The recent USPSTF recommendations appear to be a step in the wrong direction."

The poll also asked women ages 40 to 49 if they had a personal or family history of breast cancer or any other factors that might put them at high risk for developing breast cancer. Of the 31 percent who answered "yes" to this question, 77 percent said that they would continue to get mammograms in their 40s; 40 percent would do so even if mammography was not covered by their insurance while 37 percent would do it only if their insurance plans or someone else covered the cost. Although less than one percent of self-identified high-risk women in this age group said they would wait until age 50 for their next mammogram because of the new USPSTF recommendations, 16 percent of high-risk women in this age group said they "don't plan on getting annual screening mammograms regardless of the guidelines." Surprisingly, this percentage was identical to the percentage of non-high-risk women who said they wouldn't be getting mammograms in their 40s despite the guidelines.

The survey, which was conducted between November 19 and 24, 2009, soon after the USPSTF's November 16 announcement, polled 454 women between the ages of 40 and 49.

Survey Methodology

Harris Interactive® fielded the study on behalf of LifeBridge Health between November 19 and 24, 2009, via its QuickQuerySM online omnibus service, interviewing a nationwide sample of 454 U.S. women between the ages of 40 and 49. Data were weighted using propensity score weighting to be representative of the total U.S. adult population on the basis of region, age within gender, education, household income, race/ethnicity and propensity to be online. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available by contacting Holly Hosler.

About LifeBridge Health

LifeBridge Health is one of Baltimore's largest health organizations that includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, and Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help them and their clients stay ahead of what's next.

Source: LifeBridge Health

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