Talking to Patients About Mammography

Podcast: Talking to Patients About Mammography

More and more, women are empowering themselves in regards to breast cancer awareness, but the information they receive regarding mammography may be misleading, confusing, or even conflict with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommendations. For example, just recently a study published in BMJ concluded that "mammography screening by itself has little detectable impact on mortality due to breast cancer." As the popular press shares this sort of information, patients' anxieties and questions may rise and their adherence to medical advice may falter. With that in mind, how can physicians ensure their patients are receiving the best information and making appropriate decisions regarding their medical care?

We invited Dr Amer Karam, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, to shed some light on how best to address patients' concerns and confusions. Dr Karam is a surgical oncologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with breast cancer.

Resources

• Autier P, Boniol M, Gavin A, Vatten LJ. Breast cancer mortality in neighbouring European countries with different levels of screening but similar access to treatment: trend analysis of WHO mortality database. BMJ. 2011; July 28 [Epub].

• American College of Radiology
• Response to the BMJ study: ACR and SBI Statement on BMJ Article Regarding Effect of Mammography on Breast Cancer Death Rates

• American College of Obstetrics
• New recommendations for mammography

• Mammography FAQ for patients

• American Society of Breast Surgeons
• Position statement on screening mammography