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The researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia reports that certain minority populations have mammography screenings earlier than other groups.

The findings, based on prior national research, an estimated 34% of non-Hispanic black women, 30% of non-Hispanic white women, and 22% of Hispanic women 30-39 years of age have reported having a mammogram.

To better understand the women who get mammograms earlier than the generally recommended age of 40 and the outcomes these women experienced, Julie Kapp, PhD, MPH, lead author of the study, and colleagues examined the first mammograms of 99 615 women 19-39 years of age, who had no prior history of breast cancer.

The findings revealed that the majority of first mammograms were not for evaluation of a breast problem, but for screening purposes only. Screening mammograms ranged from 69% among African-American women to 81% among Asian women.

“Women younger than 40 at low or average risk who receive screening mammography may be exposed to unnecessary negative harms, such as false positive results, additional radiation and invasive procedures,” said Dr Kapp.

The authors explained that they are concerned that the impact of false positives on women of various racial/ethnic groups may vary and deter future mammography screenings for some. According to Dr Kapp, future research should address why and what impact early screenings at a young age could have on future mammography us in women older than 40 years of age.

Source: AJHO

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