Here’s what we know now about new guidance issued on breast cancer screenings
Women of average risk for breast cancer are being encouraged to start getting mammograms at age 40 and every other year after to reduce their risk.
Over the past decade, breast cancer rates have risen by 1% a year, with the steepest increase occurring in women younger than 50, according to a new report published by the American Cancer Society Tuesday.
The study also estimates more than 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in 2024 and more than 42,000 people will die from the disease.
“These are things we are watching to try and understand,” Dr. Karen Knudsen, CEO of the American Cancer Society, said in a news briefing. “Our commitment to the breast cancer problem will continue until that number becomes zero.”
Study authors said overall breast cancer deaths have decreased by 44% since 1989, but disparities persist. For example, rates among American Indian and Alaskan Native women have remained unchanged over the past three decades.
The report found Black women continued to have a 38% higher breast mortality rate than white women, and breast cancer was the leading form of cancer death in Hispanic women.
“Women today are a lot less likely to die from breast cancer, but alarming disparities still remain,” said Dr. William Dahut, the cancer society’s chief scientific officer. “These gaps need to be rectified through systematic efforts to ensure access to high-quality screening and treatment for every woman.”
Experts say one of the biggest barriers to accessing breast cancer screening and early treatment is the cost. Although mammograms are free to women 40 and older, insurance companies don’t typically cover the screening for younger women. Additional tests like ultrasounds and MRIs also are not always covered.
A survey published last week found that 39% of women 40 and older, the group recommended for screening, did not have a mammogram or other screening over the past year. Among those women, 42% said they had no plans to get one.
A third of those who hadn’t screened said the reason was the cost, according to the national poll released last week.
“You shouldn’t have to fight your cancer and your insurance company’s co-payments,” said Peter Rubin, executive director of No Patient Left Behind, one of two health advocacy nonprofits behind the poll. “High out-of-pocket costs are deterring patients from getting the treatment they desperately need.”
Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@.com.
