ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Male Breast Cancer Screening.

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Oncology

Background:

• Breast cancer screening guidelines are well-established for women but less defined for men.
• Current recommendations suggest imaging is generally inappropriate for average-risk and younger men (<25 years).

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline evidence-based guidelines for breast cancer screening in men.
• To define appropriate imaging strategies based on risk stratification.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria, a systematic review process.
• Employed the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method, adapting principles like GRADE for evidence evaluation.
• Incorporated expert opinion when peer-reviewed literature was limited or equivocal.

Main Results:

• Annual mammography is appropriate for high-risk men as surveillance imaging.
• Imaging is typically not recommended for average-risk or younger men (<25 years) for screening.
• Guidelines are developed through rigorous analysis of medical literature and expert consensus.

Conclusions:

• Established criteria provide a framework for appropriate breast cancer screening in men.
• Risk stratification is key to determining the necessity and type of imaging.
• These guidelines support informed decision-making in male breast cancer screening.