The incidence of detected ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) continues to increase and now accounts for 14% of all breast cancer, and 20%–25% of screen-detected cases. Treatment trends of DCIS are important in order to inform the ongoing debate about possible overdiagnosis and overtreatment, but [...]
In a large breast cancer screening study, the benefits of prevalent digital breast tomosynthesis did not come at the expense of higher rates or more aggressive subsequent round screen-detected cancers.
We agree with other analyses of the UK Age trial on the effect on breast cancer mortality of mammographic screening from age 40 years, including observations on the small absolute risk of dying from breast cancer for women aged between 40 and 50 years, and [...]
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is an in-situ (pre-cancerous) breast malignancy whereby malignant cells are contained within the basement membrane of the breast ducts. Incidence has increased greatly since the introduction of organised breast screening, and DCIS now represents approximately 20% of screen-detected cancers, with [...]
Population mammography-screening programs aim to prevent women dying from breast cancer through earlier detection and treatment. Improvements in mammographic technology hold the promise of increasing the benefit of screening by increasing the detection of clinically important breast cancers. However, determining whether such theoretical benefits are [...]
We read with interest Gordon and Yaffe’s letter about our article, “Women’s Acceptance of Overdetection in Breast Cancer Screening: Can We Assess Harm-Benefit Tradeoffs?” We agree with them on some points but disagree on several others.
We believe that it is imperative to have robust evidence about whether to communicate breast density information to women and, if so, how best to do it. Before this happens, there first needs to be an assessment of the balance between the benefits and harms [...]
In the article below, University of Sydney Public Health Professor Alexandra Barratt explores the contention around the AgeX trial, the biggest randomised trial ever, which is considering how long should older women continue to be screened for breast cancer. It is published as part of [...]
This paper investigates the change in mammography screening technology, comparing digital mammography with the older film-screen mammography. Findings suggest that the transition to the newer technology has not resulted in health benefits for screened women.
Prof Alex Barratt responds to the claim that screening women in their 40s for breast cancer saves lives