A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that some women in their 40s prefer to delay breast cancer screening, especially after a decision aid intervention. According to the research conducted by Laura D. Scherer and colleagues from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, 27.0% of participants preferred to delay screening before viewing the decision aid compared with 38.5% after.
The researchers found that women who preferred to delay screening had a lower risk for breast cancer than those who preferred not to delay. However, it is important to note that this does not mean that all women in their 40s should delay screening without consulting their healthcare providers.
Another study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that women who prefer to wait until age 50 for breast cancer screening tend to have lower risk based on family history. On the other hand, women who prefer earlier screening have higher risk and are less concerned about the downsides of false positives and unnecessary biopsies.
The US Preventive Services Task Force updated their recommendation for mammograms every other year for women between the ages of 40 and 74. However, many women are unaware of the risks associated with mammograms such as false-positive results, unnecessary biopsies, anxiety, and debilitating treatment for tumors that may not harm them.
Breast cancer surgeon Dr. Laura Esserman advocates for a personalized approach to breast cancer screening called the WISDOM study. This approach takes into account individual risk factors and preferences to determine the most appropriate screening schedule.
It is crucial for women in their 40s to be informed about both the benefits and risks of breast cancer screening before making a decision. Women should discuss their concerns and preferences with their healthcare providers to make an informed choice that best suits their individual circumstances.
