Tualatin, OR – The Nurse Practitioners of Oregon and Oregon Nurses Association, the state’s oldest and largest nursing organization, released the following statement today on the new breast cancer screening recommendations from the US Preventative Services Task Force: 

“The recommendations on breast cancer screenings announced by the US Preventative Services Task Force this week have caused significant confusion among women throughout the state, and concern among Oregon’s nursing professionals. The Task Force did present new information that should be taken into consideration when determining future policy, but the findings are not enough to alter existing breast cancer screening recommendations and procedures. " 

The US Preventative Services Task Force is an independent panel of medical researchers and scientists who provide recommendations on public health policy, but they do not set federal policy or determine what health care services are covered by federal government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.  

The Oregon Nurses Association feels strongly that the evidence provided by the Task Force warrants greater examination. Further, ONA does not recommend that health care providers, or women, change their behaviors related to breast cancer screening as a result of this report. Mammograms remain an important tool in the fight against breast cancer, and ONA strongly recommends that health care providers, nurses, physicians, nurse practitioners and women continue to focus on those tools that have been proven effective – consultations with your provider and use of screening procedures  appropriate to your history and age.   

For more information on the US Preventative Services Task Force recommendations, visit 
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/uspstf/uspsbrca.htm. For more information on the American Cancer Association’s mammography recommendations, visit www.cancer.org.  

Editor’s Note: The Oregon Nurses Association can provide nursing experts for comment on the US Preventative Services Task Force recommendations, to discuss the details of the recommendations, and to provide comment on breast health, breast cancer awareness and mammograms.

Contact Scott Palmer,
Communication Specialist, at 503 293 0011 to arrange an interview.