Discredited mammogram guidelines cause confusion

Mammography guidelines issued earlier this week by a panel of federal experts have caused confusion.

The Preventive Services Task Force said that women should not get routine mammograms any earlier than at age 50, with tests every two years.

But federal Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius took the unusual step Wednesday of discrediting that recommendation, saying that the government's guidelines had not changed. She urged women to begin getting mammograms at age 40, which is also the American Cancer Society's recommendation.

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City are reviewing the task force's recommendation.

Both St. Luke's Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids will continue to follow guidelines from the American Cancer Society and American College of Radiology.

Radiology Consultants of Iowa, which works with both hospitals, supports early detection, breast cancer screenings, self breast examinations and encourages women to begin annual mammograms at age 40.

Women of all ages are also advised to discuss the pros and cons with their doctors and make screening choices based on individual needs.

“A lot of people feel women's health has made advancements over time, and some people may see this as a step backward,” Heidi Berns, director of radiology at Mercy Iowa City, said of the task force recommendations.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women in the United States.

This year, nearly 200,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.