All women aged 40 years have a high risk of developing breast cancer
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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At the age of 40, regardless of the family history of breast cancer, all women have the same risk of developing aggressive breast cancer, the results of the new study show.
These preliminary data support the recommendation for all women between the ages of 40 and 49 to undergo an annual mammogram, says Stathatia Destunis, a radiology doctor in New York, USA.
S. Destunis conducted an analysis of breast cancer cases, which were diagnosed between 2000 and 2010.
"Invasive cancer (cancer that spread to the lymph nodes) was diagnosed in 64% of patients without a family history and in 63% of cases with it," she said.
For ten years with the help of mammography, 373 women aged 40 to 49 years were diagnosed with breast cancer. Of these, almost 40% had an unfavorable family history (referring to cases of breast cancer in relatives on the first line). In 63.2% of women with a family history, invasive breast cancer was diagnosed, compared to 64% of women without a family history.
Investigating the aggressiveness of cancer, scientists found that 29% of women without a family history of cancer spread to the lymph nodes, compared with 31% of women with an unfavorable family history.
The American Cancer Society recommends an annual mammographic screening for women starting at age 40.
At the same time, the Canadian Working Group on Preventive Medicine earlier this month recommended that women aged 40-49 years with an average risk not undergo a routine mammogram.
"I do not see how this study proves the need for a mammogram for women aged 40," said Dr. Michael Lefevre, vice chairman of the preventive task force. "The limitation of this study is that it was conducted in one facility."
Lefebvre also noted that "the presence of an aunt who dies of breast cancer at the age of 85 is not the same as the death of a mother or sister from breast cancer at age 42" when it comes to family history.
Communicating with your doctor about the need for preventive mammography, women must necessarily provide complete information about family history.
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