March 29, 2010 – Are Breast Cancer Screening Programs Helpful in Extending Women’s Lives? The question is raised, once again, because of a study published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers conclude that in Denmark, routine mammograms routinely offered to women aged 50 to 74 had no impact on the breast cancer death rate.
The team, led by Dr Karsten Jÿrgensen, compiled data on all women who died between 1971 and 2006, entered in a national register. For 17 years during this period, women aged 50 to 74 in the Copenhagen and Funen regions benefited from a breast cancer screening program, while the rest of the country (80% of the population ) did not have access to the service.
During these 17 years, breast cancer mortality among women aged 50 to 74 living in the regions served has fallen by 1% per year. In the rest of the country, mortality has fallen further, by 2% per year!
For the Dr Jÿrgensen, these results prove that screening programs are not working. The reduction in breast cancer death rates could be explained by other factors, such as improved treatments, awareness of women or changes in lifestyle. For the researcher, it is time to put the question of the relevance of routine mammograms back on the agenda.
The Canadian Cancer Society disagrees. “Since 1989, in Canada, breast cancer mortality has fallen by 30%,” points out André Beaulieu, spokesperson for the Society. “The implementation of the screening program 10 years ago certainly contributed to these favorable results. “
André Beaulieu adds that the results obtained in Denmark are not necessarily transposable to Canada. “In Quebec, for example, a quarter of residents do not have access to a family doctor. Not all of these women have a clinical breast exam. The screening program provides follow-up. “
According to a report published last year, the Quebec breast cancer screening program would have reduced the mortality rate from 35% to 41% in women who had at least one mammogram between 1998 and 2003.2.
Note: the Danish team does not question the relevance of diagnostic mammograms, prescribed in cases where the presence of a tumor is suspected.
Dominique Forget – PasseportSanté.net
1. Jÿrgensen KJ, Zahl PH, Breast cancer mortality in organized mammography screening in Denmark: comparative study, BMJ. 2010 Mar 23; 340: c1241.
2. Read our news: Breast Cancer Screening: Dramatic Reduction in Death Rate.
