For certain topics, the Task Force develops companion discussion guides to facilitate meaningful discussions between healthcare professionals and patients about Task Force recommendations. These guides include basic information about the recommendation along with key questions for use in a discussion. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use these guides as conversation starters with their patients when making decisions about these preventive services.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Discussion Guides
 | Let's Talk About It: Screening for Breast Cancer This guide is a companion to the Task Force recommendation on Screening for Breast Cancer. The purpose of the guide is to help healthcare professionals explain the Task Force recommendation and begin to engage female patients ages 40-74 in a discussion about screening for breast cancer. It contains basic information on what patients need to know, including who should be screened, health disparities and inequities, and questions that patients may have. Let's Talk About It: Screening for Breast Cancer (PDF File, 2.6 MB; PDF Help) Hablémoslo: Pruebas de Detección del Cáncer de Mama (PDF File, 5 MB; PDF Help) |
 | Let's Talk About It: Preventing HIV with PrEP This guide is a companion to the Task Force recommendation on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to Prevent Acquisition of HIV. This guide is for people who do not have HIV. The first page of the guide is intended for patients. It outlines basic information about the benefits and harms of taking PrEP and lists important questions for patients to ask their healthcare professionals about this preventive medication. The second page provides additional information about the recommendation, including information geared toward healthcare professionals about who should take this medication, approved PrEP formulations, and follow-up care. Let's Talk About IT: Preventing HIV with PrEP (PDF File, 351 KB; PDF Help) Hablémoslo: Cómo Prevenir el VIH con la PrEP (PDF File, 364 KB; PDF Help) |
 | Let’s Talk About It: Starting Aspirin to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke This guide is a companion to the Task Force recommendation on Aspirin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). The first page of the guide is intended for patients. It outlines basic information about the benefits and harms of aspirin use to prevent a first heart attack or stroke and lists important questions for patients ages 40 to 59 and 60 and older to ask their healthcare professionals about starting aspirin use. The second page provides additional information about the recommendation, including how to assess CVD risk and bleeding risk. While primarily a reference for healthcare professionals, it can also be shared with patients, when appropriate. Let’s Talk About It: Starting Aspirin to Prevent Heart Disease and Stroke (PDF File, 187 KB; PDF Help) |
 | Let’s Talk About It: Medicines to Help Prevent Breast Cancer This guide focuses on the Task Force’s recommendation on Medicines to Help Prevent Breast Cancer. A two-page document, the first page outlines basic information about risk factors for breast cancer, the potential benefits and harms of risk-reducing medicines, and questions for patients to ask their healthcare professionals. The second page provides additional information on assessing patient risk and more detailed data on benefits and harms. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use this guide as a conversation starter with their patients. Let’s Talk About It: Medicines to Help Prevent Breast Cancer (PDF File, 144 KB; PDF Help) Medicamentos para ayudar a prevenir el cáncer de mama (PDF File, 145 KB) |
Current as of April 2024