The Los Angeles Times (7/7, Kaplan) “Science Now” blog reports that research published in JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that “the increased use of mammograms to screen for breast cancer has subjected more women to invasive medical treatments but has not saved lives.” Investigators “examined data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry.”
The Washington Post (7/7, Cha) “To Your Health” blog reports that the investigators “found that the number of breast cancer diagnoses rose with more aggressive screenings,” but “the number of deaths remained the same.”
On its website, NBC News (7/7, Fox) reports that the researchers “also found more screening did not reduce the rate of larger breast tumors, defined as those 2 cm or larger.”
Blogfinger Medical Commentary: By Paul Goldfinger, MD, FACC.
We have been trying to temper rigidity with flexibility on BF regarding this topic. But some of you have gotten angry over my comments targeting pink banners all over town. As you can see, the subject is controversial, and the Meridian mammogram industry needs to take another look at their in-your-face pink advertising campaign, particularly as it is done in OG.
The photo asks “What now?” I choose thermography with ultrasound. A valid option (without the danger of radiation) used throughout Europe and Canada.