Screening mammography costs soar for seniors

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

Use of new technologies for breast cancer screening has led to substantial increases in cost of screening for older women. In a comparison of data from 2001-2002 and 2008-2009, the use of screening mammography for Medicare-enrolled women without a history of breast cancer was consistent, at approximately 42%. However, the increase in use of more expensive digital mammography technology has resulted in higher costs ($115 vs $73 per mammogram). Overall, Medicare spending on breast cancer screening and related procedures increased from $666 million in 2001-2002 to $962 million in 2008-2009. Unfortunately, the new technology has not been proven more effective in detecting breast cancer in women age 65 years and older. The investigators acknowledge the benefits of screening mammography, but they suggest that screening guidelines specific to older women are needed to minimize unnecessary biopsies and over diagnosis, and to control costs.