Survey says most women skip their recommended mammogram

Women cite a lack of time as the primary reason for not scheduling a mammogram, MedStar Health reported Oct. 2.

The organization's new consumer survey shows that, despite annual breast cancer awareness campaigns, celebrity sponsorships, and sports teams dressing in pink, most women are not getting their annual recommended mammogram. About 59% of women admit to forgoing the recommended annual mammogram, while another 23% say they’ve never had one at all. The survey was conducted by MedStar Health, a large not-for-profit health system in Maryland. 

These findings come at a time when breast cancer diagnoses continue to rise, with an annual increase of about 0.5%, according to the American Cancer Society. Notably, there has been a nearly 3% uptick in diagnoses among younger women under 40. This shift in statistics led the United States Preventative Task Force (USPSTF) to lower its recommended age for mammograms from 50 to 40 in May.

“Everyone’s breast cancer risk is different. Educating yourself about your own risk is key to catching it early,” physician assistant Stephanie Johnson, director of the MedStar Health's High-Risk Breast Cancer Program, said in a statement. “The American College of Radiology recommends that every woman calculate her risk with the Tyrer-Cuzick risk model at age 30 and about every five years after. This model considers at least eight factors for risk."