Bias in the Medical Journals: A Commentary

Kopans, Daniel B.

doi:10.2214/ajr.185.1.01850176

Cited by 26 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 51 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Variation in age and breast density over time are important factors to consider (23,24) when screening and monitoring parenchymal changes with prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. Therefore, we prospectively and systematically investigated the effect of age, menopausal status, and mammographic density on 18 F-FDG uptake in normal glandular breast tissue.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

Mavi¹,

Çermik²,

Urhan³

et al. 2010

J Nucl Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Theoretically, the degree of 18 F-FDG uptake in the glandular tissues of the normal breast can affect the detection of breast cancer. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate relationships among age, menopausal state, and breast density and determine whether they affect 18 F-FDG uptake in normal glandular breast tissue. Methods: Among 250 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, 149 patients (mean age 6 SD, 50.9 6 9.70 y; range, 32-77 y) were analyzed because they had normal contralateral breasts confirmed by MRI, mammography, and 18 F-FDG PET examinations. PET images were acquired 60 6 2 min after the administration of 18 F-FDG (5.2 MBq/kg of body weight). The maximum and average standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVavg, respectively) of 18 F-FDG were calculated in the normal breast. Patients were divided into groups according to qualitative breast density and menopausal state. Descriptive statistics and 2-factorial analysis of covariance were used to assess the effects of qualitative breast density, menopausal state, and age on SUVmax and SUVavg. Pearson x 2 was used to test the relationship between menopausal state and qualitative breast density. Results: The average age of patients with nondense breasts was significantly higher than that of patients with dense breasts (P , 0.01). Also, breast density related to menopausal state (P , 0.05). Dense breasts had an average SUVmax of 1.243 and mean SUVavg of 0.694, whereas nondense breasts had a mean SUVmax of 0.997 and mean SUVavg of 0.592. Analysis of covariance indicated that density and the linear effect of age were significant with regard to both SUVmax and SUVavg. After removing the linear effect of age, menopausal state had no effect on SUVmax and SUVavg. Conclusion: 18 F-FDG uptake significantly decreases as age increases and breast density decreases. Age and qualitative breast density are independent factors and significantly affect 18 F-FDG uptake for both SUVmax and SUVavg. Menopausal state had no effect on SUVmax and SUVavg.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

Mavi¹,

Çermik²,

Urhan³

et al. 2010

J Nucl Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…How did this averaging influence the results? Averaging data has been used to, falsely, make the age of 50 appear as if it is a legitimate threshold for starting screening [2,3] when, in fact, none of the parameters of screening change abruptly at the age of 50 or any other age [4]. How did their use of averaging influence their results?…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

Not so fast: the use of incomplete data to devalue the role of mammography screening

Kopans

2012

Breast Cancer Res Treat

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Unfortunately, “alternative facts” have been generated about breast cancer screening that go back decades. Confusion has resulted from the misinformation that has been published due to poor peer review in some of the most prestigious journals [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. These erroneous analyses are then reported to the public by the media, which is unable to understand some of the complexities of the claims being made, resulting in confusing messages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Misinformation and Facts about Breast Cancer Screening

Kopans

2022

Current Oncology

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Quality medical practice is based on science and evidence. For over a half-century, the efficacy of breast cancer screening has been challenged, particularly for women aged 40–49. As each false claim has been raised, it has been addressed and refuted based on science and evidence. Nevertheless, misinformation continues to be promoted, resulting in confusion for women and their physicians. Early detection has been proven to save lives for women aged 40–74 in randomized controlled trials of mammography screening. Observational studies, failure analyses, and incidence of death studies have provided evidence that there is a major benefit when screening is introduced to the general population. In large part due to screening, there has been an over 40% decline in deaths from breast cancer since 1990. Nevertheless, misinformation about screening continues to be promoted, adding to the confusion. Despite claims to the contrary, a careful reading of the guidelines issued by major groups such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American College of Physicians shows that they all agree that most lives are saved by screening starting at the age of 40. There is no scientific support for using the age of 50 as a threshold for screening. All women should be provided with the facts and not false information about breast cancer screening so that they can make “informed decisions” for themselves about whether to participate.

show abstract

Bias in the Medical Journals: A Commentary

Cited by 26 publications

References 51 publications

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

Not so fast: the use of incomplete data to devalue the role of mammography screening

Misinformation and Facts about Breast Cancer Screening

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Bias in the Medical Journals: A Commentary

Cited by 26 publications

References 51 publications

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on 18F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on 18F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

Not so fast: the use of incomplete data to devalue the role of mammography screening

Misinformation and Facts about Breast Cancer Screening

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue

The Effect of Age, Menopausal State, and Breast Density on ¹⁸F-FDG Uptake in Normal Glandular Breast Tissue