Advantages and Disadvantages of Mammography Screening

Abstract

Mammography screening is the only method presently considered appropriate for mass screening of asymptomatic women. Its frequent use, however, warrants diligent analysis of potential side effects. Radiation risk is far below the natural yearly risk of breast cancer and should not be used as an argument against screening. False-positive calls lead to additional imaging or histopathological assessment, mainly percutaneous breast biopsy. These measures are tolerated and accepted fairly well. Their number is limited by strict quality assurance and constant training. Interval cancers represent a limitation of breast screening that should prompt further research for optimization. Evaluation of overdiagnosis is a highly debated topic in the literature. According to the probably most realistic available calculations, overdiagnosis is acceptable as it is compensated by the potential mortality reduction. Nonetheless, this potential side effect warrants optimal adjustment of therapy to the patient’s individual risk. The mortality reduction seen in randomized studies was confirmed by results from national screening programs. A recent case referent study indicated that improvements in mortality reduction run parallel to improved mammographic techniques. Use of less aggressive therapies is another valuable effect of screening. Awareness of potential problems, strict quality assurance, and further research should help to further develop screening programs.

High sensitivity non‐invasive detection of calcifications deep inside biological tissue using Transmission Raman Spectroscopy

“…Over-referral represents the central negative issue with mammographic breast screening putting a high financial pressure on healthcare systems [9,10] as well as has great undue psychological impact on the patients [11,12]. Moreover, there is the adverse effect of misdiagnosis of malignant lesions reported as benign (false negatives) [13].…”

Quantifying the natural history of breast cancer

“…However, the number of women who need to be screened to prevent one death has become an issue of debate (Independent UK Panel on Breast Cancer Screening, 2012). Detailed natural history models of breast cancer progression provide an opportunity to evaluate modification to screening programmes to identify optimal screening scenarios while minimising screening's negative effects, such as unnecessary biopsies following false positive tests and treatment of indolent cancers (Kobrunner et al , 2011). …”

Thermal Imaging as a Tool for Pattern Recognition and Anomaly Studies: Identifying the Changes in the Condition of an Object Over Time by Spotting a Trend of Changing Temperatures

“…Furthermore, female breast tissue is highly sensitive to radiation, and this electromagnetic radiation triggers the factor that is responsible for cancerous growth. The radiation also raises the possibility of spreading or metastasizing an existing growth [21,22] However, in case of dense breast tissue in younger women, detection of suspicious lesions is very difficult from mammography.…”