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American Cancer Society marks National Mammography Day by reinforcing importance of Mammograms 

 ATLANTA, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today is National

Mammography Day, and the American Cancer Society is urging women 40 and

older to get a yearly mammogram, especially in light of recent data

suggesting a decline in mammography rates in the U.S.

A study in the June 15, 2007 issue of CANCER found a significant

decline in mammography screening nationwide. The worrisome trend comes

after decades of increasing mammography use, which has contributed to drops

in the breast cancer mortality rate of more than two percent per year since

1990.

 "While mammography screenings in women 40 and older increased

dramatically, from just 39 percent in 1987 to 70 percent by the year 2000,

the most recent data shows that mammography rates have declined by as much

as four percentage points, to about 66 percent in the latest time period

(2004)," said Richard C. Wender, M.D., national volunteer president of the

Society.

"Mammography remains the most effective screening test for the

early detection of breast cancer available to women today. If we want to

continue to make progress in eliminating breast cancer as a major health

threat, we need to support women and urge them to continue making screening

a priority."

The decline in mammography screenings has implications for the progress

made in reducing breast cancer incidence and mortality rates. While the

newly-released Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2007-2008 reported that the

breast cancer incidence rate in the U.S. has decreased by 3.5 percent per

year between 2001 and 2004, the authors say the decline is due in part to

the fact that women are less likely to receive mammograms.

To help remind women about the vital importance of getting a yearly

mammogram, the Society is providing a free mammogram reminder tool at

http://www.cancer.org/MammogramReminder where women can sign up to receive

an email reminding them to schedule their yearly mammography screening.

Because every woman deserves access to the mammograms they need, the

Society's sister advocacy organization, the American Cancer Society Cancer

Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), is also urging Congress to boost funding for

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Breast and

Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). 

The NBCCEDP provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnosis to low-income, uninsured

and underinsured women who would not otherwise have access to these

services. In April, President George W. Bush signed legislation to

reauthorize the program; however, more funding is needed, as lack of

funding currently limits the program to serving only one in five eligible

women nationwide. Last month, the Society and ACS CAN announced a major

initiative to improve access to quality health care for all Americans.

In addition, the Society is reminding women of all ages of its breast

cancer screening guidelines to promote early detection:

    -- Women 40 years and older should receive a yearly mammogram for as long

       as they are in good health.

    -- Women in their 20s and 30s should receive a clinical breast exam (CBE)

       as part of a periodic health exam about every three years; women 40

       and older should receive a CBE every year.

    -- Women should know how their breasts normally feel and report any

       breast change promptly to their health care providers. Breast self-

       exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.

    -- Women at high risk (greater than 20 percent lifetime risk) should get

       an MRI and a mammogram every year and women at moderately increased

       risk (15 to 20 percent lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors

       about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their

       yearly mammogram. Yearly MRI screening is not recommended for women

       whose lifetime risk of breast cancer is less than 15 percent.

According to Breast Cancer Facts & Figures 2007-2008, 178,480 new cases

of invasive breast cancer are expected among women in the U.S. and

approximately 40,460 women are expected to die from breast cancer in 2007.

Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed

cancer among women, accounting for more than one in four cancers diagnosed

in U.S women. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a

major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing

cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913

and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional

Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of

volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call

toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit http://www.cancer.org.