Media Statement
Re: Mammography Guidelines
Jodi Conachen
Woman's Hospital
225-924-8527
225-324-2513 cell
Kelly Zimmerman, OLOL
225-765-8665
225-223-1194
Amy Benton, MBPCC
225-215-1210
225-806-1478
Statement Re: Mammography Guidelines Recommendations by Woman's Hospital, and the Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins
Recent recommendations from the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) - to eliminate screening mammograms for women between the ages of 40 and 49 and no longer encouraging breast self-examination - put women's lives in Louisiana at risk, according to experts at Woman's Hospital and the Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins.
The recommendations contradict the views and experience of Woman's Hospital, Mary Bird Perkins and OLOL clinical staffs, the American Cancer Society and other expert organizations. Woman's, Mary Bird Perkins and OLOL experts are deeply concerned that these recommendations will cause women not to obtain the life-saving screening mammography services that have been effective in reducing death rates from breast cancer in Baton Rouge and the surrounding community.
Additionally, concern remains that some insurers will cite these guidelines in limiting access to affordable screening mammography by reducing payments to providers.
Multiple world-wide studies led to the existing recommendations and support the position that early detection saves lives. The USPSTF recommendations ignore this pivotal and respected data.
The task force reviewed the cost of lives saved but did not review the physical, psychological and cost benefits of early detection which could lead to less invasive procedures and treatments. The task force's report also stated that screening women in their 40s would reduce their risk of death from breast cancer by 15%, just as it does for women in their 50s, which leaves clinical experts confused about why these women under 50 should not receive life-saving mammograms.
The recommendations advise women at high risk to opt for earlier or more frequent screening, but overlook the important fact that over 70% of all breast cancers occur in women who are not high risk.
Data specific to the Baton Rouge area supports early screening in women age 40-49:
o More than one-third of the breast cancers diagnosed at Woman's Hospital occur in women under the age of 50 which translates to 474 women over the past 5 years.
o The number of deaths from breast cancers has been in decline over the past 5 years at a rate of 2% per year, which medical professionals consistently link to early detection.
o One study demonstrated that screening mammography has decreased breast cancer deaths among women in their 40s by over 40%.
In Louisiana, only 46% of women in need of a mammogram actually get one. The recommendations may cause more women to delay or not obtain a life-saving screening mammogram. Woman's Hospital, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center recommend that patients continue to follow the advice of the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology and practice the three step approach -- self-breast exam, clinical breast exam and annual mammograms.
The Cancer Program of Our Lady of the Lake and Mary Bird Perkins is the most comprehensive cancer program in the region offering patients the convenience of receiving high-quality, advanced cancer care in one location, close to home. The Cancer Program offers surgery, chemotherapy and radiation and has been accredited by The American College of Surgeons since 1992 -- the gold-standard for community-based cancer care. This program was selected for the prestigious National Cancer Institute (NCI) Community Cancer Centers. For more information on our cancer program and the NCCCP pilot, please visit www.ololrmc.com or www.marybird.org.
Woman's Hospital is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of women in the prevention and detection of breast and gynecological cancers. Our experience in mammography, biopsy including MRI-guided, needle localization, general and cosmetic surgery for women far exceeds that of most other hospitals in Louisiana. Also, our gynecologic cancer services are coordinated by the area's only board-certified gynecologic oncologists. Additionally, Woman's cancer program, accredited by the American College of Surgeons, received the Commission on Cancer's Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Cancer Care. Woman's performs more than 7,300 surgeries, 44,000 breast procedures and 86,000 Pap tests on an annual basis. For more information, visit womans.org.