Thursday, February 13, 2014

25 year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality

This study found no benefit of screening mammography in women aged 40 yo to 59 yo. In addition, significant adverse side-effects of screening were found (Twenty five year follow-up for breast cancer incidence and mortality of the Canadian National Breast Screening Study: randomised screening trial | BMJ). This will not be the last word on this subject, however, this study is important because it not only looks at overall survival, but also at adverse side-effects. Screening tests can have both benefits and harms. Ignoring the harms only gives one side of the story.