Screening Mammography

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Pages: 5

Introduction
One in eight women will be affected by breast cancer (DeSantis, Ma, Bryan, & Jemal, 2014). According to the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (CTFPHC), biannual population screening mammography is recommended for women at average risk of developing breast cancer between the ages of 50-69 years (2011). In comparison, the American Cancer Society has revised their guidelines from 2003 and recommends that women begin screening at the age of 45 years instead of 40 (Fenichel, 2016). However, screening mammography for women between the ages of 40-49 years is recommended, but not routinely (CTFPHC, 2011). Screening mammography is the medical imaging method used to detect and reduce breast cancer mortality. Although mammography is advantageous in detecting and reducing breast cancer mortality, inconsistent diagnoses and psychological concerns may render screening mammography obsolete for women over the age of 40
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The fear of receiving a positive cancer result is a common barrier to being screened. In 2003-2009, focus groups with 24 participants in Norway revealed that perceptions of screening and breast cancer change over time. Participating in screening became routine and stress related to waiting for results became easier (Solbjor, M., Skolbekken, J. A., Osterlie, & Forsmo, 2015). Due to the small sample size, this study may contain bias and is not representative of all women (Solbjor et al, 2015).
Harms of Screening Mammography
A Swedish study by Beral, Alexander, Duffy, Ellis, Given-Wilson, Holmberg, & Whelehan found that screening only prevented one breast cancer death for every 400 women aged 50-70 years screened over a ten year period (2011). Inconsistent diagnoses and psychological consequences are the harms of screening mammography.
Inconsistent Diagnosis: