AMA Supports Mammography Screening for Women over 40

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By Dr. Paul KrawitzJun 25, 2012

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Back in 2009, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a controversial recommendation that it is unnecessary for women under the age of 50 to get routine screening mammography. This announcement set off a frenzy of debate and this week, the American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegates announced its support of routine screening mammography for women beginning at the age of 40. In addition to announcing its support of the routine mammography screening for women starting at age 40, the AMA also voted to adopt a resolution stating that the AMA "expresses concern regarding recent recommendations by the USPSTF on screening mammography and prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening and the effects these recommendations have on limiting access to preventive care for Americans." The USPSTF does not set health policy and is an independent panel comprised of 16 volunteer members of which a majority are in primary care of preventive medicine. Specialty medical societies such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Radiology weren't involved in helping to create the cancer screening guidelines so the AMA also adopted a policy encouraging the USPSTF to "allow for meaningful input" from specialists.

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