Prevention

- Breast Cancer Screening (Mammography)

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States and a women’s risk for breast cancer increases with age. Escalating efforts to ensure breast cancer screening can save many lives through early detection of cancer when it is most curable.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found fair evidence that mammography screening every 12 to 33 months significantly reduces the mortality from breast cancer. Their recommendation is screening mammography, with or without clinical breast examination every one to two years for women age 40 or older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated breast cancer mortality in women 40 and older could be reduced by 17 to 30 percent with timely screening.

In our continued efforts to support Health Information Technology and care management processes we are collaborating with practices to utilize their Electronic Health Record systems to improve the rate of mammograms. IFMC will assist health care providers in setting targets, establishing protocols, utilizing reminders, reporting of data, and analyzing results to improve patient care through appropriate screening and early detection.

All women with Medicare age 40 and older are covered for a screening mammogram every 12 months. Medicare also pays for one baseline mammogram for women with Medicare between ages 35 and 39. There is a 20 percent co-payment for this but no deductible.

For further information regarding our efforts to improve mammography rates, contact the Prevention Team at 1-800-383-2856.

Click here for mammography resources and publications