Mammography Just As Important for Older Women

Mammograms, that somewhat painful but necessary breast X-ray, are one of the best tools doctors have to aid in the diagnosis of breast cancer. While mammograms have long been touted as a reliable source for the early diagnosis of breast cancer in women over 40, it seems that the older you are the less likely you are to undergo a mammogram. In fact, a recent study suggests that mammograms for women aged 80 and over can significantly increase the chances of breast cancer diagnosis, though only 20% of those women get screened on a regular basis.

In a society where individuals are living longer than ever, breast cancer screening is more important than ever. But despite suggestions from the American Cancer Society, among others, that women continue with mammograms indefinitely, statistics show that many taper off as they get older and eventually stop getting the screenings altogether.

The study was spurred by its senior author, Gildy Babiera, M.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Surgical Oncology. Dr. Babiera noticed a growing number women over the age of 80 in her clinic who were not aware that mammograms were recommended for their age group, and could have been helpful in detecting the cases of breast cancer earlier.

Study Chief Dr. Brian D. Badgwell, M.D. studied the use of mammography during a five-year period before breast cancer was diagnosed in 12,358 women at or over the age of 80. Data came from the National Cancer Institute SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) records of cancer incidence and survival in the United States. The results showed that 22 percent of those women participated in regularly mammograms, and they were the patients most likely to be diagnosed at the early stages of the breast cancer.

From the remainder of the study participants, 29 percent were irregular users, defined as having had only one or two screenings throughout the five-year period, and 49 percent had no mammograms during that time frame. The irregular and non-existent mammogram screened patients were more likely to be diagnosed with later stages of breast cancer-stages II, III, or IV.

As a result, 94 percent of women who were screened regularly were alive after five years, as compared to 88 percent of the irregular mammography patients and 82 percent of those who received no screenings whatsoever. In general, for each mammogram conducted, there was a 12 percent decrease in the risk of breast cancer for patients in the study.

While the doctors and researchers involved in the study indicated in their Journal of Clinical Oncology feel the study is important to convey to women, they caution to report that mammograms should not be linked solely to increased survival rates in women, as women prone to seek out the screenings may be in better overall health than those who do not get mammograms. Nevertheless, the message is clear: women over 80 should continue to be screened for breast cancer until general overall health indicates that there is no longer a need. Mammograms should be strongly recommended by doctors for female patients, even as they climb in age, if it is medically in her best interest. Health care workers should be the ultimate determinants, but patients should be aware enough to ask questions and request the screening.

It is estimated that approximately 17 percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women over the age of 80. For otherwise healthy women in that age group, early detection can be the key to a treatment that will allow for more quality years ahead.