There has been recent controversy regarding the benefits of breast screening. All types of medical screening have their drawbacks including:
- Missed diagnoses
- Further investigations which turn out to be unnecessary
- Anxiety caused by recalls
- Treatment for conditions that would have never caused any problems if they had been left alone
For breast cancer the only type of screening that has proven to be effective is regular routine mammography. A mammogram is a breast X-ray so an additional problem with this type of screening is the exposure to radiation. However breast cancer is a major health problem and an effective form of screening is desirable. It is the commonest type of cancer that affects women, with 1 in 9 females in the UK being diagnosed. Screening for breast cancer should be particularly effective because it is one of those cancers where catching it at an early stage makes a huge difference to the chance of cure. There are a number of reasons why the survival rates from breast cancer have improved steadily over the last thirty years, but it is thought that the most important factor has been early diagnosis.
Leading breast cancer consultant Mr Beechey-Newman provides the latest thinking behind the ‘why’s’ and ‘who’ to breast screen, plus answers common questions such as:
- What is a mammogram?
- Does breast screening work?
- The problem with mammograms
- Unnecessary treatment?
- Unnecessary anxiety?
- Who should be screened?
- What are the surgical benefits?
Read the Facts About Breast Screening.
