Good news for all the women out there: the American Cancer Society issued new breast cancer screening guidelines Oct. 20 that do not require women with average risk to have regular cancer screenings until age 45. The recommendation was previously age 40.
So what does this mean? Are women younger than 45 at less of a risk of developing breast cancer? Well, not exactly. Women age 40 to 44 should still “have the opportunity” to have regular breast cancer screenings, according to the American Cancer Society. Also, women whose personal or family histories put them at a higher risk for breast cancer than average women are not exempted by these new guidelines and should still have a screening annually.
The American Cancer Society claims these revised guidelines are a result of extensive research that demonstrates cancer screenings for women younger than 45 have more risks than benefits. For example, younger women are more prone to false positives and the possible diagnosis of small, non-threatening cancers that would not cause discomfort for the patient if left untreated.
Another great outcome of these new guidelines is that clinical breast exams are no longer required for women not experiencing abnormalities or symptoms. Clinical breast exams include a doctor or nurse feeling for lumps in the breast and are recommended for all women older than 19. That’s right, no more awkward breast exams once a year where strange doctors and nurses uncomfortably feel around for lumps.
We think these new guidelines are great for women who feel uncomfortable with clinical breast exams and breast cancer screenings. These new guidelines are also helpful for doctors who can better understand the statistics and science behind the risks of breast cancer.
While it is nice not to have anxiety about having an awkward, topless encounter with your doctor or nurse for breast exams and screenings, these new guidelines consequently require women to become more aware of their bodies and perform self-breast exams.
Performing self-breast exams seems easier than going to the doctor, but how do you do it and know when there you might have an abnormality? Luckily, great step-by-step instructions for conducting at home breast exams can be found on the Internet, such as on www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing.
However easy it may be for women to find self-breast exam instructions online, we think it is more important for doctors’ offices to have information readily available and for doctors and nurses to explain the process to patients.
For the millions of women who do not have access to the Internet or to preventative health care, information on breast cancer and self-breast exams can usually be found at the public library.
Since the American Cancer Society released their new cancer screening guidelines, many other health organizations have disagreed on the frequency of screening and at which age screenings should begin. However, the American Cancer Society and we suggest all women consult their health professionals before deciding on a course of action and a schedule of clinical exams and cancer screenings.
