According to the most recent major study that examined whether mammogram risks outweigh the procedure's benefits, the test can lower the chance of death due to breast cancer by almost 30 percent and that regardless of its dangers, national screening programs must carry on.
Mammograms by itself were not able to detect early cancers in a research involving over 2,000 high-risk women. The Norwegian researchers evaluated the effectiveness of advanced mammography screening by looking into the breast cancer mortality effects in screened and unscreened women. The study gathered information from women in Norway between 50 and 79 years old from 1986 to 2009. This is the period when the country implemented the mammography screening program. The research team examined the deaths due to breast cancer in 1,175 of those who were diagnosed after being invited for a screening and among 8,996 of those who did not receive an invitation.
"Women invited to screening in the Norwegian mammography screening program were at a 28% lower risk of death from breast cancer than women who had not [yet] been invited; 368 aged 50-69 would need to be invited to biennial mammography screening to prevent one death from breast cancer during their lifetime," the researchers said.
However, several experts believe that the mammography screening program benefits are very limited and even the researchers themselves said that by the time treatment for breast cancer improves, the overall benefits of the program will further be reduced.
Mammograms can be beneficial but the procedure is very sensitive that it captures even tumors with no malignant potential. It is a screening that women should be able to decide on but it is still reasonable if they decide not to go through it. Over-diagnosis is dangerous because it can lead to unnecessary distress and treatment. Women are advised to request for adequate and balanced information to help them make informed screening decisions.
Breast cancer diagnosis is important because the earlier it is detected and treated, the higher the chances of survival. 12,000 women die from breast cancer each year and there is a campaign called "Spread the word" to support the fight against the disease.
