“Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You”: Breast Imagers' Perspectives Regarding Screening Mammography for Others and for Themselves—Do They Practice What They Preach?

Abstract

Nearly all (98%) of the radiologists recommend yearly mammography for average-risk women 40 years old and older and were consistent in that they "practice what they preach." Because radiologists diagnose all stages of breast cancer, their personal convictions should influence providers, patients, and the public when considering the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force screening guidelines.

The role of pre-invasive disease in overdiagnosis: A microsimulation study comparing mass screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer

“…The NHS Breast cancer screening programme in the United Kingdom invites women aged 50-70 every 3 years, and is currently extending to include women aged 47-73. 40 Cervical cancer screening guidelines in the United States are similar to those in the Netherlands, 41,42 the cervical cancer screening programme in Finland is comparable with that of the Netherlands (but with considerably more opportunistic screening), while in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Denmark, women are screened 12 and 13 times a lifetime, starting at the ages 25, 23, and 23 respectively. [43][44][45] Therefore, our estimates may differ from those in other countries.…”

Stiggelbout et al. Women’s Acceptance of Overdetection in Breast Cancer Screening: Can We Assess Harm-Benefit Tradeoffs?

“…They have carefully examined the data from randomized trials used by the US Preventive Services Task Force 11 and the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, 12 as well as the observational studies of the outcomes from actual screening programs ignored by the Task Forces 7,8 and their own practice audits. When surveyed as to their personal behavior, they nearly all participate in screening as recommended in their respective countries 13,14 and recommend the same for their families, friends, and patients. These experts can hardly be judged to be irrational, uninformed, or conditioned.…”

Introducing Digital Mammography in a Resource Constrained Setting: Spectrum of Imaging Findings and Diagnostic Value in Ado-Ekiti, South Western Nigeria

“…Early diagnosis and treatment achieved through Mammographic screening plays a key role in the reduction of breast related morbidities and mortalities in middle and low income countries. However, mammography is not recommended for routine use among women below the age of 40 years [9]; also the sensitivity is reduced in those with mammographically dense breasts [5,10]. In such instances conventional breast ultrasound is utilized as an alternative or adjunct imaging modality due to its availability.…”