Reported drop in mammography: Is this cause for concern?

BACKGROUND. Timely screening with mammography can prevent a substantial number of deaths from breast cancer. The objective of this brief was to ascertain whether recent use of mammography has dropped nationally. METHODS. The authors assessed the trend in mammography rates from 1987 through 2005. Then, they used the 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) estimates to characterize trends and current patterns in mammography use. RESULTS. After robust, rapid increases in reported use of mammography by women in the U.S. since 1987, estimates from the 2005 NHIS showed a decline compared with 2000 (from 70% to 66%). Although it was small, this decline may be cause for concern, because it signals a change in direction. CONCLUSIONS. This report establishes for the nation what already has been observed in some local data. The results confirmed that the use of mammography may be falling. This change needs to be monitored carefully and also may call for intervention.