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Decreasing Percentage of Women Receive Necessary Mammograms
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
By Kathleen Hudson, M.D.
A recent article from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the percentage of women aged 40 and older who have had routine mammograms has decreased from 2000-2005 compared to the statistics in the 1990s. This is an alarming rate. The literature suggests a 20 to 35 percent reduction in mortality for women with regular screening mammograms. This reduction has been more significant in women 50 to 69 years old.
Routine mammography is the only imaging modality (screening tool that allows for the best view of the breast) that has been proven to reduce death rates from breast cancer. This study allows the earliest detection of breast cancer at a reasonable cost, and it is available to a large segment of the population. Women do not need to get an order from their physician in order to have a screening mammogram. 
There are many programs available in communities to assist women with low incomes or no insurance to obtain screening mammograms. In the Knoxville area, the health department can assist women in obtaining mammograms at reduced rates or for no charge.
There also is the Breast Health Outreach Program through the University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Cancer Institute, which targets rural communities and low income women. This program provides education on breast health, physical exams and screening mammograms by utilizing a mobile mammography unit.
Click here for more information on Cancer Screening Guidelines for Women.
Author
Kathleen Hudson, M.D., is an associate professor of radiology and director of the University Breast Center.
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