mammograms

Called Back After A Mammogram? Doctors Are Trying To Make It Less Scary

7:03pm October 15, 2015

by Katherine Hobson

Mammograms often find spots that turn out to be nothing serious. But cancer worries can start with the phone call about a follow-up test. Letting women know how common callbacks are could help.

More Mammograms May Not Always Mean Fewer Cancer Deaths

10:57am July 08, 2015

by Nancy Shute

A comparison of women in 547 U.S. counties found that getting more women in for screening mammograms didn't lower death rates from breast cancer. More small cancers were found.

"It would be disingenuous of me not to suggest that the link between the ... recommendations and insurance coverage hasn't put an additional focus on our work," says Dr. Michael LeFevre.

Health & Safety

Disputes Made Prevention Panel Stronger, Says Former Leader

5:51pm June 23, 2015

by Michelle Andrews

Dr. Michael LeFevre, who stepped down as chairman of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in March, describes how the health law changed how the group works and communicates its findings.

Dense Breasts Are Just One Part Of The Cancer Risk Calculus

1:00pm May 20, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Women with dense breasts are more likely to get cancer and less likely to catch it early on a mammogram. But degree of density matters too, a study finds, as do other factors like family history.

Federal Panel Revisits Contested Recommendation On Mammograms

10:47am May 05, 2015

by Katherine Hobson

In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said the benefits of mammograms for women under 50 were small at best. A firestorm ensued. Now the organization is back with the same message.

Queue Listen Now

Catharine Becker of Fullerton, Calif., was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer at 43 despite having a clean mammogram. The mother of three didn't know she had dense breast tissue until after she was diagnosed.

Health & Safety

Letters About Dense Breasts Can Lead To More Questions Than Answers

4:18pm April 16, 2015

by Barbara Feder Ostrov

Nearly half the states in the U.S. require that women be notified if mammograms detect that they have dense breasts. Critics say the information raises anxiety more than it improves care.

The Hidden Cost Of Mammograms: More Testing And Overtreatment

8:00am April 13, 2015

by Patti Neighmond

Each year the U.S. spends billions of dollars on unnecessary tests and treatments that result from inaccurate mammograms, some scientists say. They're calling for more selective screening.

Queue Listen Now

This graphic lays out the possible outcomes for 10,000 women if they start getting annual screening mammograms at age 50 and continue that for 10 years.

What Happens After You Get That Mammogram

7:48am December 22, 2014

by Nancy Shute

What are the odds that you'll get a false positive when you get a mammogram? How likely is it that it will detect cancer? Here's one way to look at it.