05 | 9 | 2008 Posted By Regan Zambri & Long

Elderly Women: Mammography Still Beneficial

Regular mammography reduces the risk of being diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer in women 80 years of age or older, but only about 20% of U.S. women over 80 have regular mammograms.  The finding is the result of new research published in a recent edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.  Authors of the study note that women over 80 years of age account for 17% of all breast cancer cases in the U.S.

For this latest study, scientists analyzed the mammography results of more than 12,000 elderly women obtained between 1996 and 2002.  They determined that those women diagnosed with breast cancer who had received routine mammograms were significantly more likely to be diagnosed while the cancer was still in its earliest stages.  Alternatively, women who occasionally or never had regular mammograms were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with dangerous, late-stage cancer when they finally were diagnosed with cancer following a mammogram.

Authors of the study note that according to this data, the benefits of mammography appear to have no age limit and that women should consider being screened on a regular basis, even well into their 90's, depending on the status of their health.

Previously on the DC Metro Area Medical Malpractice Law Blog, we have posted articles related to:

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