Mammography: Study Finds No Lives Saved
Annual mammography failed to reduce breast cancer mortality in women, ages 40 to 59, compared with physical examination or routine care, according to 25-year follow-up data from a Canadian screening program.
Women screened annually by mammography for 5 years had had a breast cancer mortality hazard of 1.05 compared with the control group during the screening period. During follow-up for a mean of 22 years, the mammography group had a breast cancer mortality hazard of 0.99 versus the control group. Neither value was statistically significant.
After 15 years of follow-up, the mammography group had an excess of 106 breast cancers attributable to overdiagnosis, as reported in BMJ Open. Full Story.
Consider Thermography as a safer alternative with a significantly higher success rate.
