A lack of time emerges as the primary explanation among women for not scheduling a mammogram, as indicated by a recent consumer survey conducted by MedStar Health, a prominent not-for-profit health system in Maryland. Despite widespread breast cancer awareness initiatives, celebrity endorsements, and visible support through events like sports teams donning pink, the survey reveals that a significant 59% of women admit to skipping their recommended annual mammogram, with an additional 23% never having undergone one at all.
Against the backdrop of a steady annual increase of around 0.5% in breast cancer diagnoses, notably including a nearly 3% rise among women under 40, the United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) revised its mammogram recommendation age from 50 to 40 in response.
Stephanie Johnson, a physician assistant and the director of MedStar Health’s High-Risk Breast Cancer Program, emphasized the importance of individualized risk awareness. She highlighted the American College of Radiology’s recommendation for women to assess their risk using the Tyrer-Cuzick risk model starting at age 30 and periodically thereafter, considering at least eight risk factors.
Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to create detailed images of the breast tissue, aiding in the detection of early signs of breast cancer, often before symptoms are noticeable.
The survey further unveiled reasons behind women’s reluctance to undergo mammograms, with top factors including time constraints (34%), previous normal mammogram results (21%), and the absence of a family history of breast cancer (17%).
Moreover, the survey exposed disparities in knowledge, with 62% of respondents unaware of age as a risk factor and 56% unaware of the link between cigarette smoking and increased breast cancer risk.
Notably, the MedStar statement lacked detailed demographic information on respondents, including the total number surveyed.
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