There has been little change in the use of mammography for routine screening for women since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued a recommendation about it, according to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

The USPSTF issued a recommendation in 2009 that women ages 50-74 years undergo biennial mammograms and women ages 40-49 make personal screening decisions.

Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Study, researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine analyzed mammography rates before and after the USPSTF recommendation in 2006, 2008 and 2010. The analysis looked at data from 484,296 women ages 40-74, including health status, education level, race and ethnicity. 

Results showed that there was no reduction in mammography use in 2010 compared to previous years and no significant reduction among younger women compared to older women.

The ASRT continues to support annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40. The American Cancer Society and Mayo Clinic also back these guidelines.