III

104TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. CON. RES. 8

Expressing the sense of Congress on the need for accurate guidelines for

breast cancer screening for women ages 40–49, and for other purposes.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

FEBRUARY 16 (legislative day, JANUARY 30), 1995

Ms. SNOWE submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress on the need for accurate

guidelines for breast cancer screening for women ages

40–49, and for other purposes.

Whereas the National Cancer Institute is the lead Federal

agency for research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis,

and treatment of cancer;

Whereas health professionals and consumers throughout the

Nation regard the guidelines of the National Cancer Institute as reliable scientific and medical advice;

Whereas it has been proven that intervention with routine

screening for breast cancer through mammography can

save women’s lives at a time when medical science is unable to prevent this disease;
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•SCON 8 IS

Whereas there are statistical limitations to evaluating the efficacy of mammography in a 5–10 year age range of

women, using existing studies designed to test the efficacy of mammography in a 25–30 year age range of

women;

Whereas there were numerous shortcomings identified in a

Canadian study designed to address reduction of mortality from breast cancer in the 40–49 age range;

Whereas to date, it is not possible to have the same degree

of scientific confidence about the benefit of mammography for women ages 40–49 as exists for women ages

50–69 due to inherent limitations in the studies that

have been conducted;

Whereas meta-analysis (combining the results of several studies) is sometimes useful, and the studies used to reach

the National Cancer Institute’s conclusions were not easily combined because of variations in design, technology,

screening interval, the inclusion or exclusion of clinical

breast examination, and quality;

Whereas the existing clinical trial data are inadequate to provide a definite answer to the efficacy of early detection

in the 40–49 age group and there has been a dramatic

change in technology during the 30-year period since the

initiation of the first study of breast cancer screening;

Whereas the majority, approximately 80 percent, of women

who are diagnosed with breast cancer have no identifiable

risk for this disease;

Whereas breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death

among women in the age group 15–54;

Whereas the American Cancer Society and 21 other national

medical organizations and health and consumer groups
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•SCON 8 IS

are at variance with the recently rescinded guideline of

the National Cancer Institute for mammography for

women ages 40–49; and

Whereas the statement of scientific fact on breast cancer

screening issued by the National Cancer Institute on December 3, 1993, will cause widespread confusion and concern among women and physicians, erode confidence in

mammography, and reinforce barriers and negative attitudes that keep women of all ages from being screened:

Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—

3 (1) adequately designed and conducted studies

4 are needed to determine the benefit of screening

5 women ages 40–49 through mammography and

6 other emerging technologies;

7 (2) the National Cancer Institute’s statement of

8 scientific fact on breast cancer screening should

9 clearly state that the uncertainty of evidence for

10 women in this age group is due to the limitations of

11 existing studies (as of the date of issuance of the

12 statement); and

13 (3) the National Cancer Institute should reissue

14 the recently rescinded guideline for mammography

15 for women ages 40–49 or direct the public to con16 sider guidelines issued by other organizations.

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