Breast Cancer
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Screening and Preventive Medicine Recommendations
Biennial screening mammography for women aged 50 to 74 years. (B)
Discuss preventive medication (tamoxifen or raloxifene) with women at high risk for breast cancer and at low risk for adverse effects from the medication. Clinicians should inform patients of the potential benefits and harms of these preventive medications. (B)
Women whose family history is associated with an increased risk of deleterious mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes be referred for genetic counseling and evaluation for BRCA testing. (B)
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of screening mammography in women 75 years or older. (I)
The USPSTF recommends against teaching breast self-examination (BSE). (D)
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of clinical breast examination (CBE) beyond screening mammography in women 40 years or older. (I)
The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the additional benefits and harms of either digital mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instead of film mammography as screening modalities for breast cancer. (I)
|
|
|
Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts from cells of the breast.
Why Employers Should Care?
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death for women. Overall, breast cancer is the sixth leading cause of death in women.
- New cases estimated for 2009: 194,280 (192,370 women and 1,910 men). 2, 3
- Deaths estimated for 2009: 40,610 (40,170 women and 440 men).2, 3
- Right now there are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.1
- The chance of a woman having invasive breast cancer some time during her life is about 1 in 8.1
- Accounts for 32% of new cancers in women4
- The chance of dying from breast cancer is about 1 in 35.1
- Risk factors for breast cancer include age, genetics, race, family or personal history of the disease, and previous atypical biopsy of the breast.
- Breast cancer treatment costs nearly $7 billion per year.5
- Identifying and treating breast cancer in its early stages is more cost-effective than treatment at more advanced stages of the disease.
- The more effective the screening can be, the less it will cost.
- $96 million was spent on population screening mammography.
- $72 million on hospital admitted patients.
- $21 million on out-of-hospital medical costs.
- $27 million on pharmaceuticals requiring a prescription.
- Identifying and treating breast cancer in its early stages is more cost-effective than treatment at more advanced stages of the disease.
- The more effective the screening can be, the less it will cost.
Breast cancer death rates are going down as a result early detection and improved treatment and discontinued use of hormone replacement therapies (HRT).
What Employers Should Do?
- Encourage mammography for female employees aged 40 or older and raise awareness about risk factors for developing breast cancer. Ensuring that female employees are receiving adequate screening for breast cancer, particularly those at high risk, is essential to begin treating and curing the disease in its early stages.
- Ensure that the health plan is actively screening all appropriate patients for breast cancer. The health plan and health care providers should provide information to patients about breast cancer, and promote screening for all women 40 or older.
- Encourage female employees at risk to talk with their physician about prescription drugs to prevent breast cancer.
- Promote healthy lifestyles, such as exercise, healthy diets, smoking cessation, and healthy weights.
- Ensure that health promotion is culturally competent. In worksite programs, provide materials that are racially/ethnically representative.
Business Group Resources on Breast Cancer
Other Resources
|
