Annual breast cancer screenings have been linked to a lower risk of death, according to a new study conducted by Epic Research, a health analytics firm based in Verona, Wisconsin. The research suggests that women who undergo annual screenings have a 17% lower risk of death by any cause compared to those who receive screenings every two years.
Kersten Bartelt, a registered nurse and member of Epic’s clinician team, emphasized the potential benefits for vulnerable populations, stating that ‘Annual breast cancer screenings may help to lower this risk.’ The study’s findings challenge the updated screening guidelines released by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in May 2023, which recommended biennial screenings for women between the ages of 40 and 74.
While the American Cancer Society (ACS) suggests annual mammograms for women between 45 and 54, with the option for those aged 40-44, and biennial screenings for women 55 and older, the Epic study evaluated 25,512 women between 50 and 74 years of age. The research found that compared to those who were screened every two years, the annually screened group had a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality after their diagnosis.
The study also highlighted that women who are Black, over age 60, live in a ‘socially vulnerable area,’ or reside in a rural area are more vulnerable to all-cause mortality after being diagnosed with cancer compared to women who are not in those groups.
Dr. Nicole B. Saphier, an associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and a Fox News medical contributor, emphasized the importance of cancer screenings, stating that ‘Making breast cancer screenings an annual event could save women’s lives.’
