Health

Annual breast cancer screenings linked to lower risk of death, study finds

Published

2 years ago

January 13, 2024

Annual breast cancer screenings linked to lower risk of death, study finds

Making breast cancer screenings an annual event could save women’s lives, new research suggests.

In a study led by Epic Research, a health analytics firm based in Verona, Wisconsin, women who were screened for breast cancer on a yearly basis were shown to have a 17% lower risk of death by any cause compared to those who received screenings every two years, according to a Jan. 4 press release.

“Vulnerable populations have a greater risk of mortality following a breast cancer diagnosis than less vulnerable populations,” Kersten Bartelt, a Wisconsin-based registered nurse and member of Epic’s clinician team, told Fox News Digital.

“Annual breast cancer screenings may help to lower this risk.”

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This finding could call into question the updated screening guidelines released by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in May 2023.

It recommended that women between the ages of 40 and 74 get screened every other year.

Women who were screened for breast cancer on a yearly basis were shown to have a 17% lower risk of death compared to those who received screenings every two years, according to a new study. (iStock)

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women between the ages of 45 and 54 should get mammograms every year, while women between 40 and 44 also have the option to do so.

For women 55 and older, ACS guidance is to get a mammogram every other year, unless they choose to continue with annual screenings.

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In the Epic study, researchers evaluated 25,512 women between 50 and 74 years of age.

All participants had been diagnosed with breast cancer between Jan. 1, 2018, and August 1, 2022, and were not considered at high risk prior to getting the disease.

Compared to those who were screened every two years, the annually screened group had a 17% lower risk of all-cause mortality after their diagnosis.

The study also said that women who are Black, over age 60, live in a “socially vulnerable area” or live in a rural area are more vulnerable to all-cause mortality after being diagnosed with cancer compared to women who are not in those groups.

Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the Epic study but shared her reactions. (Fox News)

Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Monmouth, New Jersey, as well as a Fox News medical contributor, was not involved in the Epic study but shared her reactions.

“This is a really interesting analysis and certainly supports annual mammograms,” she told Fox News Digital.

The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging recommends annual mammography beginning at age 40 for “normal-risk women,” which Saphier also endorses.

NEW BREAST CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES CALL FOR WOMEN TO START MAMMOGRAMS AT AGE 40

“Annual mammograms starting at the age of 40 increase our ability to capture more aggressive breast cancer that forms prior to menopause, and therefore give the patient the best chance at survival because early detection and treatment saves lives,” she said.

Saphier did point out one limitation of the study. She said it does not account for the association of different lifestyle choices between women who get mammograms every year and those who do so every other year.

The American College of Radiology and Society of Breast Imaging recommends annual mammography beginning at age 40 for “normal-risk women.” (iStock)

“Women who get mammograms every year may be more active and aware regarding their personal health screenings and preventative care, therefore contributing to better outcomes after breast cancer diagnosis,” noted Saphier.

The Epic researchers also acknowledged the study’s limitations.

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“We were not able to adjust for all factors that may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, breast cancer complications or mortality, such as lifestyle factors,” said Bartlet.

FILE: A doctor exams mammograms, a special type of X-ray of the breasts, which is used to detect tumors as part of a regular cancer prevention medical check-up at a clinic in France. (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)

“Additionally, the factors that resulted in a patient choosing to screen annually instead of biennially were not included in this study.”

To determine the appropriate frequency of screening, Bartelt said women should consult with their health care provider to weigh the harms and benefits as well as their personal risk factors.

Other than skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common type of women’s cancer in the U.S., accounting for about 30% of all new female cases each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

Melissa Rudy is health editor and a member of the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.

Health

Another state bans ‘gas station heroin’ as officials warn of deadly risks

Published

5 minutes ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Another state bans ‘gas station heroin’ as officials warn of deadly risks

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

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Along a bustling sidewalk in Boston, a bright yellow payphone invites folks to “Call a Boomer.” (Matter Neuroscience)

Food for thought

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This article was written by Fox News staff.

Health

Dementia risk signals could lie in simple blood pressure readings, researchers say

Published

12 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Press Room

Dementia risk signals could lie in simple blood pressure readings, researchers say

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Simple measurements taken during routine blood pressure checks could predict dementia risk years before symptoms appear.

That’s according to new research presented this week at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Louisiana.

The findings draw on two studies led by researchers at Georgetown University, which suggest that monitoring how blood vessels age and stiffen over time can provide a window into future cognitive health.

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Data shows rates of dementia and aging-related cognitive decline are expected to increase as populations age, and half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure (hypertension).

Scientists believe that efforts to better address hypertension, a key contributor to heart disease and a risk factor for dementia, could affect both cardiac and brain health.

Data shows rates of dementia and aging-related cognitive decline are expected to increase as populations age. Meanwhile, half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. (iStock)

“Blood pressure management isn’t just about preventing heart attacks and strokes; it may also be one of the most actionable strategies for preserving cognitive health,” Dr. Newton Nyirenda, the study’s lead author and an epidemiologist at Georgetown University in Washington, said in a press release.

The research focused on two metrics, the pulse pressure-heart rate index and estimated pulse wave velocity. Both were calculated using data collected during standard doctor visits, such as heart rate, age and blood pressure.

“Blood pressure management isn’t just about preventing heart attacks and strokes; it may also be one of the most actionable strategies for preserving cognitive health.”

Researchers examined five years of data patterns for more than 8,500 people in the SPRINT trial, a large study of adults 50 years and older with hypertension. In the follow-up, 323 of the participants developed probable dementia.

HIDDEN BRAIN CONDITION MAY QUADRUPLE DEMENTIA RISK IN OLDER ADULTS, STUDY SUGGESTS

In one study, the team found the pulse pressure-heart rate index was a strong independent predictor of dementia risk in adults over 50. For participants under 65, every one-unit increase was associated with a 76% higher risk of developing dementia.

For participants under 65, an increase in the pulse pressure-heart rate index was associated with a 76% higher risk of developing dementia. (iStock)

The second study found that adults with consistently elevated or rapidly increasing pulse wave velocity were more likely to develop dementia than those with stable velocity, even after accounting for factors like smoking, gender and cardiovascular history.

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“Our findings suggest that vascular aging patterns may provide meaningful insight into future dementia risk,” said Nyirenda. “This reinforces the idea that managing vascular health earlier in life may influence long-term brain health.”

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The team emphasized that clinicians should tailor risk assessments and treatment strategies to the individual.

Further studies are needed to confirm these parameters and determine whether changing vascular aging trajectories reduces dementia risk. (iStock)

“You don’t want to wait until a patient starts manifesting cognitive decline before you act,” said senior study author Sula Mazimba, an associate professor at the University of Virginia.

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Researchers noted the study could not establish causation. Other limitations included the fact that participants already had hypertension and elevated cardiovascular risk, meaning the findings may not apply to people without those conditions.

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Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether improving blood vessel health over time could reduce dementia risk.

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.

Health

Everything You Need To Know About Zepbound for Weight Loss, Including Costs

Published

23 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Everything You Need To Know About Zepbound for Weight Loss, Including Costs

What Is Zepbound? Weight-Loss Benefits, Costs and Dosage

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