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Previous Volume 348:1672-1680 April 24, 2003 Number 17 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlighting a common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategies is then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines, when they exist. The article ends with the authors' clinical recommendations.

A 44-year-old woman who is a new patient has no known current health problems and no family history of breast or ovarian cancer. Eighteen months ago, she had a normal screening mammogram. She recently read that mammograms may not help to prevent death from breast cancer and that "the patient should decide." But she does not think she knows enough. She worries . . . [Full Text of this Article]

The Clinical Problem

Strategies, Evidence, and Areas of Uncertainty

The Risk of Development of and Death from Breast Cancer

Mammography and Mortality from Breast Cancer

Women in Their 40s

Mammography in Women Older than 70 Years of Age

Risks Associated with Mammography

            False Positive Mammograms

            Possible Overdiagnosis — Ductal Carcinoma in Situ

            Other Risks

Guidelines

Conclusions and Recommendations

General Conclusions

Specific Recommendations

Source Information

From the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston (S.W.F.); and the Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle (J.G.E.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Fletcher at the Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, 6th Fl., 133 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215.

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