2. Screening ages and frequencies
In the context of an organised screening programme, for:
- asymptomatic women
- aged 70 to 74
- with an average risk of breast cancer
the ECIBC's Guideline Development Group (GDG):
- suggests mammography screening (conditional recommendation, moderate certainty of the evidence)
- recommends against annual mammography screening (strong recommendation, very low certainty of the evidence)
- suggests triennial mammography screening (conditional recommendation, very low certainty of the evidence)
Women aged 70-74: screening vs. no screening
Issued on: June 2016
Healthcare question
Should organised mammography screening vs. no mammography screening be used for early detection of breast cancer in women aged 70 to 74?
Recommendation
For asymptomatic women aged 70 to 74 with an average risk of breast cancer, the ECIBC's Guidelines Development Group (GDG) suggests mammography screening over no mammography screening, in the context of an organised population-based screening programme
Recommendation strength
| Conditional recommendation |
| Moderate certainty of the evidence |
Justification
The conditional recommendation (rather than strong) in favour of mammography screening over no mammography screening, in the context of an organised screening programme, was the result of a balance of the health effects that favours mammography screening, in the context of moderate quality evidence about these effects; despite possibly important uncertainty or variability in how much women value the main outcomes.
Subgroup considerations
This recommendation does not apply to high-risk women (see recommendations for women with high breast density).
Considerations for implementation and policy making
Continued screening in this age group should be guided by life expectancy.
Alternative strategies may be needed to extend screening to age groups that were screened at a younger age.
Monitoring and evaluation
Future monitoring and evaluation of screening services should consider risks and benefits in the context of evolving treatment and management protocols.
Monitoring and evaluation criteria have been developed within the ECIBC initiative.
Research priorities
- Explore other treatment options such as active surveillance/monitoring.
- Further evaluation needed regarding the incremental benefits and harms of additional screening from age 70 onwards in women who have been regularly screened before age 70.
- Carry out context-specific cost-effectiveness research.
Supporting material