A radiologist uses a magnifying glass to check mammograms for breast cancer in Los Angeles. A Canadian study published Wednesday in the British journal BMJ has revived a debate about the value of mammograms. The study suggests that screening X-rays do not lower the risk of dying of breast cancer while finding many tumors that do not need treatment. Critics say the researchers used outdated equipment and methods that made mammograms look unfairly ineffective.A Canadian study that many experts say has major flaws has revived debate about the value of mammograms. The research suggests that these screening X-rays do not lower the risk of dying of breast cancer while finding many tumors that do not need treatment.
The study gives longer follow-up on nearly 90,000 women who had annual breast exams by a nurse to check for lumps plus a mammogram, or the nurse’s breast exam alone. After more than two decades, breast cancer death rates were similar in the two groups, suggesting little benefit from mammograms.
It’s important to note that this study did not compare mammograms to no screening at all, as most other research on this topic has. Many groups have not endorsed breast exams for screening because of limited evidence that they save lives.
Critics of the Canadian study also say it used outdated equipment and poor methods that made mammograms look unfairly ineffective.
The study was published Wednesday in the British journal BMJ.