Women Skipping Mammograms

From themilwaukeechannel.com:

Mammogram Rate Falls 4 Percent

The rate of women getting mammograms to screen for breast cancer fell 4 percent from 2000 to 2005, according to a study at the National Cancer Institute.

In a news release, author Dr. Nancy Breen said that regular mammography is the best tool for early cancer detection for women over 40, and that it has reduced breast cancer mortality.

In studies from 1987 to 2000, the rate of women over 40 getting the exam went from 39 percent to 70 percent. Numbers from 2005 show the rate is now 66 percent.

The paper said that the small change is significant because it shows a shift in direction.

Breen reported that the drops were more sharp in women over age 50 and those with higher incomces -- groups that had previously shown higher rates of screening. The screening rate dropped 6.8 percent for women ages 50 to 64.

Rates went up, however, for American Indian women.

The authors said they are concerned that a drop in screening could mean fewer cases of cancer caught early.

The report was published in the journal CANCER.

I think this is a shame! We hear over & over again about early detection! We cannot ignore our health!