Quantification of the effect of mammographic screening on fatal breast cancers: The Florence Programme 1990–96
2002

Impact of Mammographic Screening on Breast Cancer Deaths

Sample size: 1122 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Eugenio Paci, S W Duffy, D Giorgi, M Zappa, E Crocetti, V Vezzosi, S Bianchi, M Rosselli del Turco

Primary Institution: Unit of Epidemiology, CSPO, Florence, Italy

Hypothesis

Does mammographic screening reduce mortality from breast cancer in women aged 50-69?

Conclusion

The study found a significant reduction in breast cancer mortality among women who were invited to screening compared to those who were not.

Supporting Evidence

  • The incidence-based mortality ratio comparing 1990–96 and 1985–86 was 0.50, indicating a 50% reduction in mortality.
  • For noninvited women, there was a 41% significant mortality reduction compared to 1985-86.
  • The comparable reduction in invited women was a significant 55%.

Takeaway

This study shows that getting regular mammograms can help save lives by finding breast cancer earlier.

Methodology

Breast cancer cases were analyzed based on screening invitation status and followed for mortality over an 8-year period.

Potential Biases

Potential biases include lead time bias and overdiagnosis due to screening.

Limitations

The study may not account for all confounding factors influencing breast cancer mortality.

Participant Demographics

Women aged 50-69 in Florence, Italy.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.50

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 0.38–0.66

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6600301

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