More Mammograms May Mean More 'Harmless' Cancers

Related Encyclopedia • Adenocarcinoma of the Lung and Brain Metastases • Amenorrhea • Amniocentesis • Amniocentesis and CVS More... Related Healthscout Videos Optimistic Healing Early Babies: How Soon is Too Soon? Aqua Lipo Cancer Treatment for Any Size More... Related Animations • Breast Reduction • Breast Self-Exam Video • Colon Cancer • Erectile Dysfunction More... Related Drug Information • Actonel • Detrol LA • Diflucan • Ditropan XL More... Related News Articles • Diet Soda and Salt: Destroying your Kidneys? • Folate Levels in Pregnancy Tied to ADHD in Offspring • CDC Study Links 2 Antibiotics to Birth Defects • Switch to 'Light' Cigarettes Makes Quitting Tougher More...

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2

The regions included were the United Kingdom; Manitoba, Canada; New South Wales, Australia; Sweden; and parts of Norway.

They found an estimated overdiagnosis rate of 52 percent for all cancers, including in situ malignancies, which have not spread, and an overdiagnosis rate of 35 percent for invasive breast cancer. The study also detected a jump in incidence rates after the introduction of the screening programs.

An editorial accompanying publication of the study noted that overdiagnosis can cause women much trauma and alarm and that the choice to get a mammogram remains a personal one.

Text Continues Below

---

Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., observed the situation as having pros and cons.

"The good news is we have affected survival dramatically, and we have affected the ability to diagnose cancers earlier so that most women don't have to remove their breast," Brooks said. "There is a trade-off."

More information

The U.S. National Women's Health Information Center has more on mammography.

Page:  << Prev | 1 | 2