Mammograms for women over 70 are still beneficial

16/04/2008

Although guidelines keep changing regarding screening mammography in older patients, a new study has shown that breast cancer can be detected sooner in women aged 70 and over who have frequent mammograms.

 

The study, carried out by the Jacobi Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York,  consisted of the review of 24 cases of breast cancer in 22 elderly patients age 70-89. The results showed that 19 of the 24 cases of breast malignancy were initially identified through a mammogram. Of these, surgery was carried out in 18 cases, with 15 being treated by lumpectomy and 3 being treated with mastectomy. The study also showed that the average time from a woman's most recent mammogram to a subsequent diagnosis was 2.6 years.

 

Jason Salsamendi, lead author of the study, said: “Our initial interest was sparked by the changing mammographic guidelines for the elderly age group. We also noticed that we were performing a significant number of screening mammograms in elderly patients at our institution and became curious about the incidence of hidden breast cancer in this age group.

 

“During our study, we found that five patients had never had a mammogram - and these five included three cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Perhaps with more frequent mammographic screening, more breast cancers can be found earlier, at a noninvasive stage. This would result in a less extensive surgical procedure and improve prognosis. Our results encourage clinicians to continue to order screening mammography in elderly patients at yearly intervals."