Medical Physics News
If cost-cutting U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) mammography recommendations are adopted as policy, two decades of decline in breast cancer mortality could be reversed and countless American women may die needlessly from breast cancer each year. The recommendations - created by a federal government-funded committee with no medical imaging representation - would advise against regular mammography screening for women 40-49 years of age, provide mammograms only every other year for women between 50 and 74, and stop all breast cancer screening in women over 74.
The Federally Supported U.S. Preventative Services now recommends:
AGAINST routine screening mammography in women age 40-49
AGAINST teaching breast self examinations
AGAINST clinical breast examinations
AGAINST previously recommended routine screening for women 75 years or older
AGAINST annual screening mammograms for women age 50-74 (Recommending screening every OTHER year versus the currently recommended annual screening)
In other words, USPSTF is recommending against ALL commonly accepted routine breast cancer screening methods for women in their forties despite their statement that the ten year risk for breast cancer in a 40 year old woman is 1 in 69. They also rescind their previous recommendation providing for screening beyond 74 because "the shortened life among woman 75 and older" makes it more likely that she could die from another cause before the cancer kills her. Finally, even for those for whom they do recommend screening, delays in treatment resulting from less frequent screening will cost lives and result in more aggressive and debilitating treatment.
American Association of Physicists in Medicine states: There have been a number of CT related issues in the news over the past months pertaining to radiation dose, however there have been several misleading statements made with respect to radiation hazards from CT scanning. AAPM also addresses the recent articles published in the Archives of Internal Medicine and reported on National Public Radio this week stating that "much smaller radiation exposures (such as with CT) to many individuals can cause substantial increases in cancer incidence is certainly controversial and not universally accepted."
The Society of Breast Imaging publishes a 12 point discussion regarding the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recent mammography screening guidelines.
Confusion continues to grow over the recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force\'s (USPSTF) recommendations that women under the age of 50 no longer be screened for breast cancer. Women are wondering if their mammograms will now be covered by their insurance company and radiology practices are beginning to receive calls from women who want to cancel their scheduled yearly mammogram.
The ACR has revised its requirements for Medical Physicists and MR Scientists, as a result of receiving many thoughtful comments from individuals currently providing medical physics services, and after consultation with ACR legal counsel as well as the chairs of the Quality and Safety Commission and ACR Accreditation Subcommittees on Physics. These new requirements will go into effect on January 1, 2010. The new requirements (and this most recent revision) are critical for several reasons.
FDA has identified at least 50 additional patients who were exposed to excess radiation during CT perfusion scans and involved more than one CT scanner manufacturer. Furthermore they have received reports of possible excess exposures from healthcare providers in other states.
On the basis of its investigation to date, the FDA is providing interim recommendations for imaging facilities, radiologists, and radiologic technologists to help prevent additional cases of excess exposure. These recommendations apply to all CT perfusion images, including brain and heart, because they use similar procedures and protocols.
The majority of breast cancer patients who received MammoSite balloon brachytherapy treatment developed symptoms of moderate breast distortion within two years of treatment, according to an RSNA presentation on Tuesday.
Over an 18-month period, 206 patients at a particular facility received radiation doses that were approximately eight times the expected level. Instead of receiving the expected dose of 0.5 Gy (maximum) to the head, these patients received 3-4 Gy.
The American Association of Physicists in Medicine published a statement stating that it is premature to comment in depth regarding the FDA alert as all the facts surrounding the incidences have not been released.
Mammography Tech pleads guilty to 3rd degree forgery and is ordered to pay a $2000.00 fined and was sentenced to 1 year incarceration (suspended).
The Committee on Professional Licensure introduced a Bill to the PA House of Representative for licensure of individuals practicing medical physics in the State of PA citing in the Bill that "The practice of medical physics by unqualified individuals is a threat to public health and safety. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Commonwealth to protect public health and safety from the harmful effects of excessive and unnecessary radiation by ensuring that the practice of medical physics is entrusted only to individuals licensed under this act."
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