Screening mammography in the elderly: a review of the issues

Women age 70 and older have the highest incidence and mortality from breast cancer of any age group. Despite this increased burden of disease, studies show that older women are the least likely to be screened for breast cancer. Barriers to routine mammography in this population include transportation and logistical issues, psychosocial barriers, low literacy levels, and institutional barriers. A variety of interventions, such as community health educators and mobile mammography, have been effective at increasing screening mammography among older women. Although limited, studies have reported that screening mammography reduced breast cancer mortality among women age 65 and older. Research supports continued screening with mammography for elderly women as long as their health is not significantly compromised by comorbid illness, and most organizational guidelines support screening mammography in healthy elderly women. Ultimately, the decision to continue breast cancer screening should be made by the patient and her physician after carefully weighing the risks and benefits of the procedure, which generally become more favorable as women age.