Canadian researchers have found annual mammograms for women in their 40s and 50s found more cancers, but didn’t save more lives. Many women in Canada routinely have the tests done to screen for breast cancer, and the mammograms are usually paid for by public health insurance.
Nearly 90,000 women were studied over 25 years. Some had yearly mammograms and some only had physical examinations. The rate of death was the same for both groups.
Some treatment unnecessary
One in five breast cancers detected through the mammograms wouldn’t have required treatment if they hadn’t been found, according to the study. However science hasn’t found a way to tell a killer cancer from one that won’t be fatal, so breast cancer is always treated.
These results could change mammogram screening programs in future. But the published study notes “This is not an easy task, because governments, research funders, scientists, and medical practitioners may have vested interests in continuing activities that are well-established.”
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