In 5 years, the rate of mammography decreased by 4%. This is the first decrease in about a generation. The American Cancer Society is alarmed, as they feel breast cancer rates may increase without mammography. Additionally, when breast cancer is found early via mammograms, the cancer is usually Stage I, and has a minimal chance of recurrence.
If mammograms are not done, and a person weights till a tumor is felt, the staging increases to 2 or 3, and recurrence is more of a risk.
Interestingly, the decrease did not come from the lower socioeconomic groups, but those women who were in a higher economic status. Additionally, the highest age group was 50-64 years old.
In guessing as to the reason for this decrease among women, one hypothesis of note was the relationship of mammograms to hormone replacement therapy.
Now that women have decreased their use of hormone replacement therapy, there is no longer any reason to see their doctor. Therefore, mammograms are not ordered. It would be interesting to see if there is any relationship with annual PAP smears.
The looming question of a cancer increase will have to wait for future years. Hopefully, health patterns change prior to the point of no return.
del.icio.us
Digg this
