Nearly nine out of 10 women reported that having a regular mammogram gave them a feeling of control over their own healthcare, according to a poll conducted by the American College of Radiology's (ACR) Breast Imaging Commission and the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI).
ACR and SBI conducted the poll between August 31 and September 6. Not only did 86% of women report that they had received a mammogram within the past two years, 89% considered mammograms important to their health and well-being, according to the organizations.
Mammography has helped reduce the breast cancer death rate by more than 30% since 1990, the two organizations said. Every major medical organization with expertise in breast cancer now recommends women get annual mammograms starting at age 40.
However, the number of mammography facilities nationwide continues to decline: According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are now 223 fewer mammography facilities and 1,331 fewer mammography systems available to U.S. women than in July 2007, ACR and SBI said.
