Scripps Supports Existing ‘Gold Standard’ Guidelines for Screening Mammograms
November 25, 2009 Tweet
SAN DIEGO – After extensive review of the proposed guidelines for breast cancer screening set forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on Nov. 17, 2009, the Scripps Breast Cancer Task Force recommends that women continue to follow the same “gold standard” screening mammography guidelines supported by the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiologists and the American College of Surgeons.
Those guidelines include:
- Monthly breast self-exams beginning at age 20
- Annual clinical breast exams with a physician or other health care practitioner
- Baseline mammogram at age 40 followed by annual screening mammograms
- Discussion of individual needs and concerns with a physician if a woman is at greater risk due to a personal or family history of the disease
“The recent USPSTF guidelines have created concern and confusion for Scripps patients and other women throughout the country,” says William Stanton, MD, chair of the Scripps Network Cancer Program. “We strongly urge our patients to address their individual needs and concerns directly with their physicians.”
The Scripps Breast Cancer Task Force acknowledges the additional financial cost for screening mammograms beginning at age 40 instead of 50. However, since 28 percent of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer at Scripps are under the age of 50, the Scripps Task Force weighs that cost against the number of lives that are potentially saved by beginning screening mammograms at age 40.
“We looked closely at these new findings and the methodology behind them, as we do all new research,” says Paul Goldfarb, MD, chair of the Scripps Breast Cancer Task Force. “Yet, we still believe that clinical breast exams coupled with annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40, give most women the best chance for detecting breast cancer in its earliest, most curable stage.”
Scripps will continue to review and evaluate new data on breast cancer detection as it becomes available. As always, Scripps will keep patients’ and women’s best interests at the forefront of any recommendations regarding screening mammograms or new methods of early detection of breast cancer.
ABOUT SCRIPPS HEALTH
Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2 billion nonprofit community health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 12,700 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices and outpatient centers.
Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and graduate medical education.
In 2008, Scripps committed more than $150 million in capital and facility improvements across the San Diego region while providing significant charity care to the community – more than $268 million in uncompensated care in 2008. Scripps Health Foundation generated $46 million in charitable donations in 2008 to support the Scripps mission.
Contact: Steve Carpowich
Phone: 858-678-7183
Email: carpowich.stephen@scrippshealth.org
Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, Scripps Mercy Hospital, Scripps Clinic, Scripps Coastal Medical Center, Cancer Care (Scripps Mercy Hospital), Imaging, Breast Care (Scripps Clinic), Cancer Care, Cancer Care (Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla), Cancer Care (Scripps Clinic), Breast Care (Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas), Breast Care (Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla), Breast Care