A recent study has raised concerns over the lack of adherence among women in the United States to breast cancer screening guidelines. The study found that about 21.7% of women aged between 50 and 74, equivalent to one in five, are not getting mammogram screenings at the recommended frequency. Mammogram Screening Recommendations The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), composed of doctors and disease experts, advocates mammograms every two years for women aged 50 to 74. Mammograms are crucial in the early detection of breast cancer. The data for the study was analyzed by HelpAdvisor, an online health and finance resource based in California, using survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State-Wise Non-Compliance The study revealed that at least a quarter of the women in 13 states are not adhering to the expert recommendations. Wyoming topped the list with the highest non-compliance rate, where 34.2% of women aged between 50 and 74 did not have a mammogram within two years. Christian Worstell, a senior Medicare and health insurance expert with HelpAdvisor and lead author of the study, expressed concern over the significant number of older women not receiving mammograms at the recommended intervals. Reasons for Skipped Screenings Dr. Ethan Cohen, a breast radiologist and an associate professor of Breast Imaging at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, outlined multiple reasons for non-compliance with mammography. These include socioeconomic barriers to care, limited knowledge of the benefits of screening, geographic limitations, discomfort with mammography, anxiety from the exam or the potential results, confusion with recommended screening intervals, and previous negative health care encounters. Worstell believes that many people fall into the ‘it won’t happen to me’ trap when it comes to health care or prefer not to know. He also pointed out that mammograms are considered preventive care and are protected as a free service under most health insurance plans. Importance of Regular Mammograms The study underscores the importance of regular mammograms, as they can significantly increase the chances of detecting and successfully treating breast cancer at an early stage. Screening mammography has been proven to save lives by identifying early asymptomatic breast cancer, which is easier to treat. Women who are not regularly screened are at a higher risk of developing symptomatic cancer, which has a worse prognosis and is more difficult to treat. The study serves as a reminder of the critical role played by mammograms in the early detection and successful treatment of breast cancer.

One in Five US Women Neglecting Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines: Study