HHS HealthBeat (February 06, 2007)

Looking harder for breast cancer

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

X-rays, called mammograms, are among the best ways we have to spot breast cancer early, when it is most treatable. And the rates of women getting these screening exams had been rising over about 20 years. But researchers now see a troubling trend the other way.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the percentage of women 40 and older who reported having a regular mammogram has fallen slightly. The CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report says the drop between 2000 and 2005 is less than two percentage points. But because millions of women need to get mammograms, this could mean a lot of missed cases of breast cancer.

The CDC's Blythe Ryerson:

"Women 40 and older should maintain a regular screening schedule, getting a mammogram every one to two years." (6 seconds)

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: February, 16 2007