Breasts: Mammograms = Cancer

Associated Press (via mail.com, Oct. 12, 2016); CC Liu, Seth Auberon, Wisdom Quarterly

A radiologist compares an image from earlier, 2-D technology mammogram to the new 3-D Digital Breast Tomosynthesis mammography in Wichita Falls, Texas. The technology can detect much smaller cancers earlier. But a new study (released 10-12-16) questions the value of mammograms for breast cancer screening. It concludes that a woman is more likely to be diagnosed with a tumor that is not destined to become large, and presumably more life-threatening, than she is to have earlier detection of one that is (Torin Halsey/Times Record News via AP).

Study questions value of mammograms, breast cancer screening

Canadian Shania

Iatrogenic! A new study questions the value of mammograms for breast cancer screening. It concludes that a woman is more likely to be diagnosed with a small tumor that is not destined to grow than she is to have a true problem spotted early.

The work could further shift the balance of whether screening's harms outweigh its benefits.

Screening is only worthwhile if it finds cancers that would kill, and if treating them early improves survival versus treating when or if they ever cause symptoms.

Asian breast cancer rates used to be low.

Treatment has improved so much over the years that detecting cancer early has become less important.

 

Mammograms do catch some deadly cancers and save lives. But they also find many early cancers that are not destined to grow or spread and become a health threat.

There is no good way to tell which ones will, so many women get treatments they don't really need. It's a twin problem: overdiagnosis and overtreatment. More