February 26, 2002 – Two Danish researchers have ignited the powder and caused an uproar in the scientific community by questioning the value of mammography as a life-saving breast cancer screening tool.1
The Danes scrutinized mammography studies and identified flaws in research methods, including randomization (random distribution of treatments to subjects in order to create comparable groups) and evaluation of criteria that would bias them. results obtained. In addition, some studies show no reduction in the number of deaths thanks to screening mammography. The message usually sent to women is that mammography can detect breast cancer early and therefore reduce the number of deaths.
Two renowned American institutions in the field of cancer, the National Cancer Institute (NCI)2 and theAmerican Cancer Society (ACS) have taken a stand in favor of mammography despite the advice of a panel that agreed with the two researchers. This panel wanted to encourage doctors to mention to their patients the doubt about the benefit of mammography. The NCI and ACS have decided not to change the US recommendations for regular mammograms for women over 40.
The meta-analysis elicited many reactions from both sides. The critics of mammography have recalled that it is not infallible and that it can lead to sometimes unjustified anxiety, additional and invasive examinations, or even untimely treatments damaging to health. Others pointed out that we do not know the danger of radiation emitted by x-rays and that the influence of lobbies of radiologists and companies marketing mammograms play an important role in decision-making.3 Some advocates of mammography have, for their part, expressed the fear that some women decide not to have a mammogram and then die of an undetected cancer in time with all the risks of legal action that this can entail.
In Canada, screening mammography is recommended for women aged 50 to 69; it is not always considered suitable for women under 50 because the breast tissue is dense and makes it harder to find small tumors. 4
Élisabeth Mercader – PasseportSanté.net
According to InteliHealth, February 14, 2002
1. Peter C GØtzsche, Ole Olsen. The Lancet. Is screening for breast cancer with justifiable mammography? [Consulté le 25 février 2002]. http://www.thelancet.com
2. National Cancer Institute. NCI Statement on Mammography Screening. [Consulté le 25 février 2002]. http://newscenter.cancer.gov/pressreleases/mammstatement31jan02.html
3. Quebec Action Network for Women’s Health. The perverse effects of the Quebec breast cancer screening program. [Consulté le 26 février 2002]. http://www.rqasf.qc.ca/sp20/sp20.htm
4. Health Canada. Women and cancer. [Consulté le 26 février 2002]. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/francais/femmes/faits/faits_cancer.htm
