Breast cancer screening 'cuts deaths by 40%' expert panel says

This report was part of the IARC’s ongoing work to review and evaluate the effects of preventing different cancers. They had last reviewed the evidence on breast cancer screening in 2002. As new research continues to be carried out, it is important to consider this new evidence, and whether it affects their conclusions. Particular areas they highlighted as needing consideration were: improvements in treatments for late-stage breast cancer concerns around overdiagnosis (diagnoses of breast cancer that would never have been diagnosed otherwise and would never have caused the women any harm) what age groups of women should be offered screening and how frequently effects of screening through self or health professional breast examination, or approaches other than mammography screening in women at high risk of breast cancer  What evidence did the expert group consider on mammography?In their last report in 2002, the IARC concluded that the evidence for the efficacy of mammography screening in women aged 50 to 69 years old was sufficient, based on the available randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Reassessment of all available RCTs up to the time of the current assessment by the expert group confirmed that this was still the case. The expert group also considered evidence from recent, high-quality observational studies, as the RCTs were carried out more than two years ago and there have been improvements in screening and treatment since then. They focused on ...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Cancer Medical practice QA articles Source Type: news