Breast Cancer Screening

As a medical oncologist, I would like to thank The Times for encouraging women to continue to get annual mammograms (“Mammograms and Hope,” editorial, Feb. 16). A large majority of breast cancer screening trials have shown about a 30% reduction in deaths from breast cancer for those women who are routinely screened with mammograms. Deaths from breast cancer have been falling since 1989 in this country, and since 1995, breast cancer deaths have been reduced by 3.4% per year. If we continue this trend, there will be a 74% reduction in breast cancer deaths by 2015. Clearly, mammograms have contributed to this result. I urge all women of average risk for breast cancer, aged 40 and older, to continue to get annual mammograms, just as I do.

Christy A. Russell MD

President-Elect

California Division

American Cancer Society

Los Angeles