Frequency of screening for breast cancer
1989
Breast Cancer Screening Frequency
Editorial
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): R.W. Blamey
Primary Institution: Nottingham City Hospital
Conclusion
More frequent breast cancer screening may not be cost-effective based on current evidence.
Supporting Evidence
- Screening has been shown to reduce breast cancer mortality in three randomized trials.
- Only 35-40% of interval cancers could have been diagnosed earlier with annual screening.
- Detection rates improved from 67% to 79% with more frequent screening.
Takeaway
The study suggests that screening for breast cancer every year might not be worth the extra cost, as many cancers would still be detected at the regular screening intervals.
Methodology
The study analyzed interval cancers diagnosed between screenings to assess the effectiveness of annual versus biennial screening.
Limitations
The study does not provide definitive answers on the best screening practices due to limited data.
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