July 10, 2009 – 3:15 pm by admin
The issue of screening for breast cancer has yet again come to the forefront of public attention today. Conflicting reports relating its importance have appeared in a number of media outlets.
BBC Health online have led with a story from the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Denmark, suggesting that there may be a case of “over-diagnosis” of breast cancer in the UK.
The report, in the British Medical Journal states that,
“screening for cancer may lead to earlier detection of lethal cancers but also detects harmless ones that will not cause death or symptoms.
The detection of such cancers, which would not have been identified clinically in someone’s remaining lifetime, is called over-diagnosis and can only be harmful to those who experience it.”
On the same day, the Metro newspaper have published an article which tells that numbers dying from the three most common cancers in Britain (breast included) have fallen to their lowest level in 40 years.
Interestingly, they cite “new treatments and better screening” as the major contributors to increased survival rates.
Lester Barr, Chairman of the Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention Centre, would like to offer a simple test to women who don’t now know whether or not to come for breast screening.
It is the ‘10 year test’. Women who come for screening should ask themselves the question “Is my health good enough that I hope still to be alive in 10 years time?”
If the answer is ‘yes’ then come for screening.
Although it may take 10, 15 or more years before any cancer detected would make you unwell, early diagnosis could save you much heartbreak later in life.
If because of age or other health problems the answer is ‘no’ then breast screening may not help you live longer.
The ‘10 year test’ is a good practical solution to the dilemma of over-diagnosis of breast cancer through screening.
Talk it over with your doctors.
Posted in Medical/ Scientific | No Comments »
Tags: BBC Health, Breast Cancer, breast screening, British Medical Journal, Early Diagnosis, Lester Barr, Metro Newspaper, Nordic Cochrance Centre
It emerged last night that another one of our much loved stars has been battling breast cancer. Jennifer Saunders revealed that after finding a lump in her breast, she had the tumour removed then underwent a course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. After being given the all clear she was seen celebrating at Wimbledon.
