The efficacy of performing screening mammograms in the frail elderly population.

摘要

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. In fact, an estimated 211,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur in 2005 alone. The risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer increases with age. Women ages 70 to 79 have the highest incidence rate of 499 cases per 100,000 persons. Age has actually been found to be the single most important risk factor in women for developing breast cancer. At age 70, the probability of developing breast cancer is 4.31%.Breast cancer is also second among cancer deaths in women, with an estimated 40,410 deaths secondary to breast cancer expected to occur in 2005. Over the past 20 years, the greatest increase in the rates of breast cancer incidence has been seen in women age 50 and older. This increase in diagnosis is largely attributed to the increase in rates of screening mammography. The Analysis of Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER) data indicate that breast cancer cause-specific mortality in older women is associated with both the stage of disease at first diagnosis and the number of comorbid conditions. The American Geriatrics Society's position statement is that "... therefore screening older women for early stage breast cancer can contribute to longer survival and enhanced quality of life ... treatment of early stage breast cancer is far less burdensome than that required to treat advanced disease."