A recent report in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's January 26 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found that mammography rates among women 40 and older significantly declined from 2000 to 2005.

The report summarized the findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a state-based, randomly dialed telephone survey of the adult population. The survey, conducted from 2000 to 2005, asked adult female respondents whether they had ever had a mammogram. The women who responded yes to the question were then asked the length of time since their last mammogram.

Mammography rates in women aged 40 and over have declined from 76.4 percent in 2000 to 74.6 percent in 2005, a statistically significant decrease. However, the editors noted that these findings are subject to five limitations: 1) the results might overestimate actual breast cancer screening rates, 2) the results might not be representative of all women since the survey was conducted by telephone, 3) the responses are self-reported and not confirmed by medical records review, 4) the survey response rate was low, and 5) the results might not represent the entire U.S. population because the data only included states from the Women's Health Module.

Additionally, the editors commented that the decline in screening from 2000 to 2005 suggests a need for more careful monitoring because mammography screening every 1 to 2 years can significantly reduce breast cancer mortality.