SAVE THE TATA'S; A Brief synopsis of AFP's "Breast Cancer Screening Update"

This a brief synopsis of:
Breast Cancer Screening Update

MARIA TRIA TIRONA, MD, Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center, Huntington, West Virginia

Am Fam Physician. 2013 Feb 15;87(4):274-278.

     Breast cancer screening has been a hot topic recently. According to this article, each society that puts out recommendations has there own opinion, but they are all generally similar  It really comes down to risk vs. reward, and chasing incidental findings.
     Breast self exams are no longer recommended, although now, women should take notice of any changes in breast shape and feel, without using a specific exam technique.  So instead of self breast exams, they should practice "breast self awareness".
     Most societies still recommend clinical exams, although it does not change mortality when combined with mammography. I think the exam should be discussed with the patient on a case by case basis, but should not replace imagining. As far as when to start doing mammograms, 50 years old is the baseline.  Depending on risk factors (BRCA, family history, etc) you may want to screen more aggressively. If clinical decision warrants,  patients can be screened starting at age 40. They can be done every 1-2 years, depending on who you ask. Most believe you can stop them after 74, or whenever you think treatment would not longer be necessary.