"For women age 40 to 49 with high breast density and with either a first-degree relative with breast cancer or a prior breast biopsy, the benefits versus harm for performing mammography every two years is similar to screening an average-risk woman in her 50s. This amounts to about 20 percent of women in their 40s. For women age 40 to 49 without these risk factors, it is reasonable to wait until age 50 to start mammography screening.''

Lead author Dr. John Schousboe of the Park Nicollet Institute and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, noted that yearly mammography was not cost-effective in that it was expensive and yielded little additional health benefits compared to mammography once every 2 years, regardless of breast density or other risk factors.

The frequency of mammography is not just a clinical decision, he said, it also has a strong emotional component. "Feelings matter too. For example some mammograms produce a 'false positive' result and these can cause a lot of worry for a woman. The effect of mammograms on a woman's quality of life should be considered in her decision about when to be screened. If mammograms reassure you, then more often is ok. If they worry or bother you, then less frequent may be ok."

Dr. Susan Love, President of the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation commented that "this is exactly the type of analysis that we need if we are going to help women and doctors figure out the best schedule of screening for them. Personalized medicine extends beyond treatment to risk definition and appropriate screening schedules. "

Source: www.cpmc