Diacor News and Opinion

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has issued new breast cancer screening guidelines, saying that women should start receiving yearly mammograms starting at age 40. The new guidelines have been put in place due to the high incidence of breast cancer in the U.S., and the potential to reduce deaths when caught early. The survival rate of women whose breast cancer is caught at the earliest stage is 98%. Previous screening guidelines said that women should receive mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40, and annually starting at age 50. For more information, please visit www.acog.org.

As reported on the American Cancer Society's web site, two recent studies show that regular screening mammograms help reduce deaths from breast cancer.  Differing in their methodologies and specific findings, both studies ultimately support the American Cancer Society's recommendation that women receive regular mammograms as an important part of a breast cancer screening plan.  For more information, please see the American Cancer Society's news and features page.