How Helpful Are Mammograms?

There’s too much confusion in research on breast cancer. There has been an ongoing controversy over the value of screening mammography. Now a study from Norway suggests that many breast cancers detected through routine mammograms may lead to unnecessary treatment. In order to prevent one death from breast cancer, 10 women needed to be treated for cancers that would most likely not have led to their death. The researchers estimate that 2,500 women would need screening to prevent that one death. This results in excess cost and suffering and throws the value of screening mammography back into question.

[Annals of Internal Medicine, April 3, 2012]