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Breast Cancer : The Second Leading Cause Death Of The United States

Decent Essays

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women in the United States. A mammogram, is a simple test done with x-ray, to screen women for abnormalities of the breast. Over the past six years, the guidelines put out by various healthcare organizations have changed multiple times on when women should begin screening mammograms. Based on statistical data collected by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), 20 percent of women go without a screening mammogram for their own various reasons, of which may be lack of insurance, lack of time or lack of knowledge as to when they should be getting a screening mammogram done due to the recent changes in recommendations. The utilization of annual screening mammograms beginning at age 40 will continue to help reduce the incidence rate of women with breast cancer, or catch it early enough so that treatment can be sought.

In 2003, the recommendation from many health organizations for getting a screening mammogram was for women to begin at age 40, unless an abnormality was found during a self-breast exam (BSE) or clinical breast exam (CBE) prior to that age. In 2009, the US Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) unanimously voted to change their recommendations on when women should start having screening mammograms. At that time, the recommendation was for women aged 40-49 to make their own decision on when to have a screening mammogram; Women aged 50-74 to have biennial screening mammograms. For women aged 75+, the USPSTF could

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