“Is Breast Cancer ‘Over Diagnosis’ Real ?”
Breast cancer is a widespread and dangerous condition and, in past articles, I have presented the best methods to detect it and to treat it. Yet, a new U.S. study states, “Mammograms have done surprisingly little to catch deadly breast cancers before they spread. At the same time, more than a million women have been treated for cancers that never would have threatened their lives.” The study suggests that up to one third of breast cancers cases a year (50,000 to 70,000) don’t need treatment. Over diagnosis refers to finding suspected cancer that is present but does not need treatment. Men have heard a similar warning about PSA tests to screen for slow-growing prostate cancer, but it’s relatively new to the debate over breast cancer screening.
