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 Annual mammograms help detect breast cancer in its earliest, most curable stage
Women who receive annual mammograms are more likely to have breast cancer detected when it is in its earliest, most curable stage, according to a new study presented October 7, 2002, at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology's Annual Meeting in New Orleans. The study confirms the benefits of regular mammographic screening for women over the age of 40, and supports yearly mammograms to increase the chances of detecting the noninvasive, stage 0 form of breast cancer. Between 1995 and 2001, 1,591 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer were seen for consultation at the Breast Evaluation Center at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Women over the age of 40 who could supply information about the number and frequency of their mammograms prior to their diagnosis of breast cancer were evaluated for this study. Participants were classified into three groups: Group 1 had never had a mammogram prior to their diagnosis, Group 2 had mammograms on average less than once a year and Group 3 had mammograms on average yearly or more often. The method of cancer detection was by mammogram alone in only 33 percent of Group 1 patients, 49 percent of Group 2 patients and 59 percent of Group 3 patients. Fifteen percent of patients in Group 1 had ductal carcinoma in situ, the most curable form of breast cancer, compared with 21 percent of patients in Group 2 and 26 percent of patients in Group 3. There was also a correlation between mammographic screening and whether women were offered the option of breast-conserving surgery, such as lumpectomy. In Group 1, doctors offered 41 percent of patients breast-conserving surgery and radiation, but recommended mastectomy to 41 percent of their patients. For groups 2 and 3, 60 percent were eligible for breast conservation, with only 29 percent recommended to have a mastectomy. "Regular mammograms are recommended for women over the age of 40 for early detection of breast cancer. Whether there is a survival benefit to screening mammograms and exactly how often these women should have mammograms, however, has been open to debate," said Gary M. Freedman, M.D., of Fox Chase Cancer Center and lead author of the study. "This study demonstrates that regular screening is linked to an earlier stage of breast cancer when it is diagnosed. We know that patient survival is better with earlier stage of disease. If women want to increase their odds of detecting breast cancer early and decrease the likelihood that they would need a complete mastectomy, they should make sure they have a mammogram at least once a year." |
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