Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals
Reproductive Health Topics Publications & Resources Professional Education Newsroom Membership Policy & Advocacy About Us
Newsroom
Send To A Friend Send To A FriendSubscribe to RSS Subscribe to RSS Bookmark this Page Share this page
Newsroom

PRESS STATEMENT: Reproductive Health Professionals Issue Statement on New Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations



For Immediate Release
November 19,  2009

Washington, DC – Last week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an outside independent panel of doctors and scientists charged with making recommendations to the federal government, released revised guidelines on breast cancer screenings, including mammograms and self-examination. The new guidelines state that instead of receiving yearly mammograms beginning at age 40, women can now wait until 50 years old to begin the annual screenings.

For many years and in many forums, there has been debate about the age at which routine screening mammograms should begin and how often they should be given. The Task Force has simply presented a new perspective for consideration.

ARHP echoes HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ statement regarding the recommendations: The Task Force recommendations have revealed that there is great need for more evidence, more research, and more scientific innovation to help women prevent, detect, and fight breast cancer, the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

Mammograms have always been and will continue to be an important tool in the arsenal in the fight against breast cancer. Like all health care decisions, it is up to each woman, in collaboration with her health care provider, to make decisions that are right and best for her health and life.



###

The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) is the leading source for trusted medical education and information on reproductive and sexual health. ARHP educates health care providers, informs consumers, and helps shape public policy. ARHP is a non-profit membership association composed of highly qualified and committed experts in reproductive health. ARHP members are health professionals in clinical practice, education, research, and advocacy and they include physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurse midwives, researchers, educators, pharmacists, and other professionals in reproductive health. To learn more, visit: http://www.arhp.org.