October 22, 2015
Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD
Recommendations move closer to those of the USPSTF — but differences remain.
Based on input from clinicians, public health specialists, laypeople, and a commissioned review, the American Cancer Society (ACS) has issued its first guideline update since 2003 regarding screening mammography for average-risk women (no personal history of breast cancer, known mutation associated with excess risk, or history of chest wall radiation at a young age). Recommendations are delineated as strong (consensus that the benefits of adhering to the recommendation outweigh undesirable effects) or qualified (clear evidence of benefits but less certainty about benefit–harm balance or women's preferences that could influence their decisions). The new guidelines are as follows:
Age 40–44: Optional annual screening mammography (qualified)
Age 45: Begin screening (strong)
Age 45–54: Annual screening (qualified)
Age ≥55: Biennial screening with option to continue annual screens (qualified)
Continue screening as long as overall health is good and life expectancy is ≥10 years (qualified).
Any age: Clinical breast examination (CBE) for screening is not recommended (qualified).
Comment
The updated ACS recommendations reduce the potential for harms (overdiagnosis and unnecessary additional imaging and biopsies) and move closer to the guidelines of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF; i.e., begin biennial screening at age 50; NEJM JW Womens Heath Dec 2009 and Ann Intern Med 2009; 151:716).
As one editorialist points out, the ACS recommendation to begin screening at age 45 is based on observational comparisons between screened and unscreened cohorts, a type of analysis the USPSTF does not consider because of concerns about bias. The ACS's recommendation for annual screening in women aged 45–54 is based in part on the findings of a recent study showing that, for premenopausal (but not postmenopausal) women, tumor stage was higher and size larger for screen-detected lesions among women undergoing biennial screens.
The ACS recommendation against screening CBE, stemming from the absence of data supporting CBE's benefits (alone or with screening mammography), represents a dramatic change from the society's prior stance. Moreover, in leaving their 2003 guidance regarding breast self-examination unchanged, the ACS continues to recommend against this latter practice.
Overall, these updated guidelines should result in more women starting screening mammograms later in life as well as opting for biennial screening, meaning fewer lifetime screens. Also, fewer breast examinations during well-woman visits will allow clinicians more time to assess family history and other risk factors for breast cancer, as well as to maintain dialog about screening recommendations. In my practice, I will continue to encourage screening per USPSTF guidance (begin biennial screens at age 50) for my average-risk patients, while recognizing that many will be more comfortable starting screening at an earlier age and annually thereafter.
Editor Disclosures at Time of Publication
Disclosures for Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD at time of publication Consultant / Advisory board Actavis plc; Bayer AG; Merck Royalties UpToDate Grant / Research support Therapeutics MD; Bayer; Agile; NIH Editorial boards Contraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health Leadership positions in professional societies
North American Menopause Society (Treasurer)
Citation(s):
Oeffinger KC et al. Breast cancer screening for women at average risk: 2015 guideline update from the American Cancer Society. JAMA 2015 Oct 20; 314:1599. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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CrossRef
Keating NL and Pace LE. New guidelines for breast cancer screening in US women. JAMA 2015 Oct 20; 314:1569. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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Myers ER et al. Benefits and harms of breast cancer screening: A systematic review. JAMA 2015 Oct 20; 314:1615. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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Miglioretti DL et al. Breast tumor prognostic characteristics and biennial vs annual mammography, age, and menopausal status. JAMA Oncol 2015 Oct 20; [e-pub]. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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Chen WY.Measuring the effectiveness of mammography. JAMA Oncol 2015 Oct 20; [e-pub]. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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Kerlikowske K.Progress toward consensus on breast cancer screening guidelines and reducing screening harms. JAMA Intern Med 2015 Oct 20; [e-pub]. (Δεν είναι ορατοί οι σύνδεσμοι (links).
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