Yearly Breast Cancer Screening Reduces Breast Cancer Rates

The lead author Nicholas M. Perry, M.B.B.S., F.R.C.S., F.R.C.R., director of The London Breast Institute at The Princess Grace Hospital in London, says that, "The results of this study support the importance of regular screening in the 40 to 50 age group." In fact, he goes on to say that, "Women in this age group who had undergone mammography the previous year had a mastectomy rate of less than half that of the others."

Dr. Perry and the rest of the colleagues reviewed clinical data on women aged 40 to 50 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had been treated at The London Breast Institute. In the years between 2003 and 2009 971 women were diagnosed with breast cancer. The researchers further observed which of the women had mammograms the previous year, and the rate of women who had to have breast cancer.  The data from the study showed that mastectomy was the required course of treatment for 19% of the 16 women who had been screened the prior year, compared to 46% of the 140 women who had not been screened in the past year.

"We reviewed the records of the women needing mastectomy to determine whether or not they had undergone mammography the previous year," Dr. Perry said. "We were surprised at the degree of benefit obtained from yearly screening in this age group."

Getting regular mammogram screening can have a significant impact on early detection and early treatment. For women in their forties and fifties, getting an annual mammogram is essential.

Source:
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)