The ideal interval has yet to be established. TheUK was one of the first to offer national breast screening with mammography. All women aged 50 – 64 are offered screening at three year intervals. The Department of Health is currently assessing the potential of extending the upper limit of screening to the age of 69. Most European programmes screen at two year intervals. A British trial looking at this interval is due to report in 1998. The Cancer Research Campaign is evaluating the possible benefits of mammography starting at age 40.

The breasts in younger women are usually too dense for interpretation of x-ray mammography. Sonography (ultrasound examination of the breast) is accurate but the investigation requires considerable expertise and is time-consuming.


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 Women's Health