Screening of Breast Cancer (Coursework Sample)

Screening for Breast Cancer Name Institution Screening for Breast Cancer US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendation Summary USPTF (2016) gives recommendations for breast cancer screening based on age; recommending the use of biennial screening mammography for women aged 50-74 and besides, those aged below 50 can commence regular, biennial screening mammography based on the patient-clinician's consent. Furthermore, the data on the advantages and risks of applying biennial screening for 75 and above years old females is inadequate for the screening approval. Also, teaching breast self-examination (BSE) to all women is not recommended, and sufficient evidence on the additional benefits and harms of clinical breast examination (CBE) for women aged 40 and above lacks; and enough information lacks to assess additional benefits/harms of digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to film mammography. Epidemiology Evidence Breast cancer incidences increase sharply with age, becoming substantial before the age of 50 years (Fletcher, Fletcher & Fletcher, 2012); but with a slow down noted at menopause (Laureate Education, 2012). Hence, the recommendation for biennial screening mammography for age 50-74 is necessary; conversely, age 50 and below should be monitored contrary to the proposal by USPTF (2016) as the class borders the most susceptible age group (Fletcher et al., 2012). However, the breast cancer, often associated with reproductive hormones (Burstein et al., 2014), becomes less prevalent after menopause, thus a reduced monitoring of cancer within the age bracket. Type of Screening Mammography is a population-based breast screening program that uses population qualities of age and race/ethnicity as the basis for recommending for or against breast cancer screening (Laureate Education, 2012); thus, the article summary focused on age categories rather than issues of genetics and diet in breast cancer development. Data Usefulness in Policy Making USPTF (2016) recommendation summary can help in the formulation of policies that places women aged 50-74 on a must-attend breast cancer screening program (Burstein et al., 2014); while those aged 40 and below have the right to decide whether...