Mammography for breast cancer screening often wrong

In mammography for breast cancer screening often false alarm

04/04/2012

Since 2005, women between the ages of 50 and 69 in Germany have been entitled to free breast cancer screening every two years. In mammography, even the smallest tumors can be detected, but it is difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant changes. According to a study, 15 to 25 percent of the women examined received a cancer diagnosis, although they most likely never noticed anything about the tumor.

15 to 25 percent of breast cancer diagnoses may be false alarm
The early detection test for breast cancer, the so-called mammography, is repeatedly criticized. On the one hand tumors can be overlooked, on the other hand women have to live with cancer diagnoses, whose tumors probably would never have caused any discomfort. As a result, however, these tumors are also treated with surgeries, chemotherapies and many other treatment methods. For sufferers, this often means painful and unpleasant procedures, without ever having an advantage. Because of these overdiagnoses Mette Kalager and her colleagues from the renowned Harvard University criticize the mammography screening. In the journal „Annals of Internal Medicine“ they published their findings suggesting that 15 to 25 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses may be due to false positives.

For the study, the physicians have examined 40,000 Norwegian women with breast cancer. More than 7,700 people have been diagnosed with tumors since mammography screening was introduced in Norway in 1996. In a comparison with the pre-screening period, it became clear that even more breast cancer diagnoses with end-stage tumors have been diagnosed since the beginning of the screening. However, it would have been expected that less of these serious cases would occur from the check-ups if the mammography had been beneficial to the women, the physicians suggested. From 1169 to 1948 of the 7,700 women, the tumor would never have made its mark. This is equivalent to 15 to 25 percent of all breast cancer diagnoses.

One in every 2,500 women is saved from death by mammography screening
„Mammography is probably not suitable for screening, as it hardly distinguishes between aggressive and benign tumors, "explains Kalager. „Radiologists recognize every little change. It becomes a problem for women when they diagnose cancer but they do not experience any symptoms or death. "

According to scientists, only one in 2,500 women would be protected from death by breast cancer through mammographic screening. However, six to ten of the women are overdiagnosed and undergo surgery and therapy without ever having any benefit from the procedures. „We have to point out the problem to women, "warn cancer experts Joann Elmore and Suzanne Fletcher. „Just because it is difficult to talk about the damage, we must not conceal the issue. "

Germany has the highest breast cancer mortality rate in the EU
A team of scientists headed by Matteo Malvezzi from the University of Milan calculated the detailed death rates for the six most populated countries of the European Union (EU). They determined For Germany, the highest breast cancer death rate. Accordingly, 16.5 out of 100,000 women are affected in the Federal Republic. The EU average is comparatively only 14.9 out of 100,000 women, reported the Italian experts. Although the breast cancer death rate has fallen 7.5 percent since 2007, the EU average was 9 percent. Although Germany takes a sad leading position in this case, the development in breast cancer is quite positive overall. Not only was it possible to significantly reduce the death rate of elderly patients, the scientists also found a significant reduction in breast cancer death among younger women. (Ag)

Also read:
Mammography Screening Lowers Breast Cancer Death Rate
Better chances of recovery for breast cancer
Breast cancer diagnoses are increasing
Plant active ingredients against breast cancer
Breast cancer: Good care in breast centers
New drug for breast cancer screening
Hormones can cause breast cancer
Breast cancer in men
Study: Bitter melon against breast cancer?
Breast cancer: help by beta-blockers?