Breast cancer Less interest in early detection

Breast cancer: interest in screening program drops

06/02/2014

Apparently the interest in breast cancer screening tests is decreasing. Not even every second Hamburg citizen recently participated in mammography screenings. More education is required. But the criticism of preventive examinations is increasing nationwide.

Not even every second girl from Hamburg goes to the check-up
In Hamburg, fewer and fewer women participated in mammography screenings. Not even one in two women between the ages of 50 and 69 went for breast cancer care in the fourth quarter of last year. This follows from the Senate's response to a minor request from the left-wing health politician Kersten Arthur, such as „The world“ reported. Accordingly, in the Hanseatic city of 22,955 women followed only 11,215 the invitation to their free check-up. „The number of participants is likely to be lower, because it is expected that not all women who are target group are invited“, so Artus.

Left-politician considers mass investigation questionable
The screening therefore does not lead to solid numbers. The nationwide mass investigation is already questionable for the left-politician anyway, and not just since the recent scandal in Essen. There, a radiologist was supposed to have studied women for years without having the necessary qualifications for it. „Mammography screening is a subscription to making money and the lobby behind it is massive“, says Arthur. „On the other hand, a few women's health experts stand up bravely and demand informed decision-making.“ However, these would hardly penetrate. „Personally, I find the entire staging of breast cancer unhelpful“, so Artus. „Who brings out independent information on the topic, so that they reach the women? Who provides psychosocial care to women who are re-summoned who have carcinomas?“ Prof. Marie-Luise Dierks, Head of the Patient University at the Hannover Medical School, also expressed himself a few months ago: „We have an obligation to explain in a balanced and understandable way the benefits, but also the risks of screening, and to enable women to make a good decision.“

Critical comments from female medical specialists
In her criticism of the screening program, the health politician also refers to critical statements by the „Working Group Women's Health“ (AKF), in which numerous medical specialists are organized nationwide. According to an AKF statement, 22 percent of invasive breast cancer patients diagnosed by screening are considered to be in one study „overdiagnosis“ have been designated. „Thereafter, one out of 424 women participating in mammography screening or one in five women diagnosed with cancer must expect unnecessary cancer treatment. One out of five cancer diagnoses using mammography screening is not a deadly threat, but even these women get a highly invasive medical therapy such as surgery - possibly with loss of breast -, chemo, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, etc., because so far is not distinguishable, which Woman really needs this treatment and which does not.“ The AKF demands that women in the appropriate age group should be informed in a differentiated manner, instead of making one-sided advertising for the screening. Among other things, an improved information policy and neutral information materials are needed.

Doctors president questions screenings
Only a few days ago, the German Medical Association President Frank Ulrich Montgomery had questioned the screenings. The „Berlin newspaper“ he said: „We need to question the benefits and risks of screening more than before, especially since often only those who care about their bodies are reached. And studies on screening programs show that statistically, the number of deaths can only be marginally reduced.“ The medical president wants to have check-ups examined. It needed a scientific analysis of all the statistics available for the check-ups in order to better determine the relationship between benefit and risk.

Health authorities did not want to comment
The health authority did not want to comment on the dispute over the screening, nor on the recent low number of participants in Hamburg. It was said that the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung (KV) was responsible for the program. Loud „The world“ However, their spokesman for Hamburg also rejected a statement. He said it was better to ask the participating doctors directly. The Senate stated in response to the leftist request: „The competent authority has no information on complaints or irregularities related to the Mammography Screening Program in Hamburg.“ According to figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), more than 70,000 women in Germany are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. About 17,000 women die every year. (Ad)