Screening link to breast cancer dismissed
Screening link to breast cancer dismissed
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Wednesday, 22, Mar 2006 03:39
A new report has thrown cold water on suggestions that mammograms increase the risk of breast cancer in high risk women.
Published in The Lancet Oncology, a new paper from the Centre for Research in Women's Health in Toronto, Canada, found that mammography does not increase the risk of breast cancer in women who have a particular genetic mutation, known as a BRCA mutation.
Women with the mutation have an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer so typically start screening procedures at an earlier age. Some researchers had suggested that the screening might actually be contributing to the higher level of cancer due to cumulative radiation doses.
But in a study of 1,600 matched pairs, the Canadian researchers conclude these concerns are unwarranted.
Lead author Professor Steven Narod said no link had been found.
"These findings do not lend support to the idea that exposure to ionizing radiation through routine screening mammography contributes substantially to the burden of breast cancer in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers," said Professor Narod.
He added: "Prospective studies are needed to confirm the results of this initial report. The decision of whether to offer mammography screening to high-risk women should be based first on an assessment of the sensitivity of the screening tool and the potential benefits of early detection in this high-risk group."