Mammography
Mammography is widely recognized as the most effective method for detecting breast cancers in their early stages, when they are most likely to respond to treatment. The US Preventive Services Task Force has estimated that mammograms every 1 to 2 years may reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 30%. In fact, when cancer is detected and treated before it has spread outside of the breast, 98% of women survive for 5 years or more.
Medicare covers one baseline mammogram for female beneficiaries when they are between the ages of 35 and 39, as well as annual screening mammograms for those who are over 40. It is particularly important for older women to get mammograms because the risk of breast cancer increases with age. More than 65% of all breast cancers occur in women over the age of 55.
In addition to advising a group of physician practices about using electronic health records to increase mammography rates, VHQC encourages all primary care physicians to refer patients for mammograms in accordance with the national preventive services guidelines.
Links to basic information are provided below. For additional materials, visit the Resource Center to browse tools and references, and go to the MedQIC website.
