Media Advisory – Meharry Medical College experts challenge new mammogram guidelines by a government task force whose recommendations overlook health disparities in minority women. Contact Gayle Starling-Melvin @ 615.327.6282 or 216.333.2064 or gmelvin@mmc.edu to schedule interviews.

 

A recently released government study is recommending that women not be screened for breast cancer until their 50s. Meharry experts disagree with the findings citing the fact that many African-American women are diagnosed with breast cancer before they turn 50. 

 

The following experts are available for comments.

 

Regina Stokes Offodile, M.D., is an assistant professor of breast and general surgery with the department of surgery at Meharry Medical College.

 

“We are looking out of the line with providing appropriate preventive care and diagnosis of breast cancer [in regard to the task force findings], because, many of the women we care for are 45-years and younger,” states Dr. Offodile. According to Dr. Offodile, The American Society of Breast Disease (ASBD) is not in support of the findings of the government task force. “There has not been any new evidence/data to support these new recommendations,” says Offodile.

 

Dana R. Marshall, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of surgery with Meharry Medical College, has done extensive work in cancer research. At Meharry, Dr. Marshall focuses on breast and oral cancer. Dr. Marshall says the guidelines are off target and do not take into consideration the specific needs of minority women. 

“I think it’s a mistake to make that kind of broad generalization,” said Dr. Marshall. “It’s a mistake particularly when certain groups of women, especially African-American women, are likely to present themselves with breast cancer before the age of 50.” 

For more information, or to schedule an interview, contact Gayle Starling-Melvin @ 615.327.6282 or 216.333.2064 or gmelvin@mmc.edu.

 

About Meharry Medical College Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private, independent, historically black academic health center dedicated solely to educating minority and other health professionals. True to its rich heritage, it is a United Methodist Church affiliated institution. The College is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce. Diverse Issues in Higher Education’s ranking of institutions annually lists Meharry as a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences.