The outcome of breast cancer patients 20 years before (1958-1977) and 20 years after (1978-1997) the introduction of screening is compared on this graph.
Lancet. 2003 Apr 26;361(9367):1405-10
Conclusion:
- Breast cancer death was decreased by 44% in women 40-69 years of age who attended screening (RR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.49 - 0.64).
- The mortality decrease was 16% in women who did not attend screening (RR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.71 - 0.99).
- Breast cancer should be treated in its pre-clinical phase if we are to save lives of women with the disease.
- "High quality mammography screening can be considered a major public health achievement" (Cady B. Michaelsson BJ, Cancer, May 1st, 2001).
|
