Screening: Life, and mammograms, begin at 40

Forty is the optimal age for women to start having regular mammograms to reduce the number of breast cancer deaths, the findings of a US study suggests. Researchers in New York compared several commonly recommended mammogram schemes used in the US to estimate the most effective at reducing breast cancer mortality. These included annual screening from age 40, annual screening between the ages of 45 to 54 then every second year from 55 to 79, or every second year from 50 to 74. According to the computer modelling, the first scheme reduced breast cancer deaths by an estimated 40 per cent, compared to 23 per cent and 31 per cent for the other schemes.

Adelaide Advertiser – online here, 22/08/2017, Page 12; Courier Mail, 22/08/2017, Page 3; Daily Telegraph, 22/08/2017, Page 12; West Australian, 22/08/2017, Page 3

#Screening #Breastcancer #Mammograms #BladderCancer