WWC response to ACS guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently released new recommendations for women at average risk for breast cancer. These recommendations more closely align ACS and U.S. Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) guidelines and convey the overall movement towards less frequent breast screenings.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) program continues to align its breast screening policies with USPSTF guidelines. WWC believes the ACS recommendations are evidence-based, concerned with public resources, but also concerned about the negative health effects or harms of overscreening (i.e. overdiagnosis and false positives), particularly in younger women.

The importance of assessing a woman’s individual risk for breast cancer is even more essential as screening mammography guidelines continue to evolve. CDPHE and WWC encourage all women to talk with their healthcare provider about their risk for breast cancer and screening options. If you know someone that is in need of breast cancer screening and meets the criteria below, they may qualify for WWC. Please call the WWC referral number 1-866-951-WELL (9355) to schedule an appointment.

• 40-64 years old
• uninsured or underinsured
• low-income
• lawfully present

View the original article released by the American Cancer Society.

View the Journal of the American Medicine Association (JAMA) article where the infographic above was published.