Mammography-detected cancers represent "overdiagnosis" in about one third of cases, according to an international study published online in BMJ. (Overdiagnosis is the detection of cancers that will not ultimately cause symptoms or death.)
Researchers reviewed published trends in breast cancer incidence for 7 years before and 7 after the full implementation of publicly organized screening in the U.K., Canada, Australia, Sweden, and Norway. After adjustment for the presence of older, previously screened women, the researchers concluded that about half the cancers detected represented overdiagnosis. When carcinomas in situ were excluded, the proportion was about one third.
An American editorialist writes: "The question is no longer whether overdiagnosis occurs, but how often it occurs." He recommends a trial "to test higher thresholds [of diagnosis], such as only recommending biopsy for breast masses larger than a certain size."

Dr. Ashly's Ochsner DC comments:
So let me make sure that YOU AND I get this.... There are cancers that will not ultimately cause symptoms or death??  EXACTLY!  AND that would be ALL CANCERS.  It just depends on HOW STRONG YOUR BODY IS TO FIGHT THE CANCER.  This proves ONCE AGAIN, that cancer is no different than THE FLU in the fact that it's THE STRENGTH OF THE HOST (the body) that decreases the risk and spread of cancer (or the flu for that matter).  Think of the money saved in health care if people invested in building their health.  Think of the lives saved from Chemo and Radiation DEATHS if people invested in building their health.  And as the article infers, THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUSLY NOT MORE MAMMOGRAMS.  The answer is MORE HEALTH.  God bless.
 

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