Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. In 2015, according to the National Cancer Institute, 231,840 women were to be diagnosed with the disease and 40,290 were to die from it. The death rate is highest among women who are not screened regularly and present with advanced cancers. Despite these data and the clear advantages of mammography as a key component of preventive health care, many women are confused by widespread variance in guidelines on when and how frequently to get a mammogram.
To address this, the Society of Breast Imaging created End the Confusion, a campaign to inform and engage providers, stakeholders, and the public on the benefits of breast cancer screening.
“I have read patient mammograms that detected cancers early, when treatment is most effective. I have patients who are alive today because they followed the advice of respected organizations like the Society of Breast Imaging. Ultimately, this is the reason for End the Confusion; to save lives through early detection,” said Society of Breast Imaging President Elizabeth A. Morris, MD, FACR.
End the Confusion hosts resources, including multimedia presentations, fact sheets, and relevant articles. The site provides women with clear and accurate information on mammography screening so they are prepared to make informed decisions in partnership with their health-care providers.
The End the Confusion website can be accessed at www.endtheconfusion.org. ■
