Community | October 26, 2011 | 97 comments

Breast cancer screening review launched

source: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/26/breast-cancer-screening-review-launched/

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KB723
By Agence France-Presse
Wednesday, October 26, 2011

An independent review into breast cancer screening has been launched amid concerns that the diagnostic process could be more harmful than beneficial.

Last month researchers from the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Denmark claimed women given mammograms were being “misinformed” and not told about the risk of overdiagnosis.

A London-based consultant raised similar concerns, sparking questions over the value of breast cancer screening, which the NHS argues saves lives.

Professor Sir Mike Richards, national cancer director at theDepartment of Health, announced in the British Medical Journal(BMJ) that he had begun a review to weigh up the evidence.

“I take the current controversy very seriously,” he wrote in a letter in the journal.

An open letter published in the BMJ last month by Professor Susan Bewley, consultant obstetrician at King’s College, London, said NHS leaflets on screening “exaggerated benefits and did not spell out the risks”.

“The oft-repeated statement that ’1,400 lives a year are saved’ has not been subjected to proper scrutiny. Even cancer charities use lower estimates,” the letter stated.

“The distress of overdiagnosis and decision making when finding lesions that might, or might not, be cancer that might, or might not, require mutilating surgery is increasingly being exposed,” it added.

Responding to the letter, Richards said he would examine the available evidence for and against screening.

“I will do my best to achieve consensus on the evidence, though I realise this may not ultimately be possible,” he wrote.

“Should the independent review conclude that the balance of harms outweighs the benefits of breast screening, I will have no hesitation in referring the findings to the UK National Screening Committee and then ministers.”

The review will be led jointly by Richards and Cancer Research UK.

Sara Hiom, director of health information at the cancer charity, said: “Women need more accurate, evidence-based and clear information to be able to make an informed choice about breast screening,” she said.

“The decision whether to be screened is a personal one, but that decision should be made with all of the potential harms and benefits fully explained.”

A Department of Health spokesman stressed that NHS advice had not changed and urged women to go for screening when invited.

“The best available evidence shows that screening saves lives by detecting cancers earlier than they would otherwise have been,” he said.

“Our screening programme has always been regularly scrutinised and evaluated.”

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/26/breast-cancer-screening-review-launched/

"Very important to share this with your Mother, Aunt, Sister or any other Loved Female in your Family!!!"
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97 comments // Breast cancer screening review launched

  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  

    • My sister is a 7.5 year survivor. She went in when she found a lump. The technician who did the mammography found 2 other suspicious items in the other breast too.

      Yep, 3 different tumors, 3 different types of cancer. All caught in time. She and her doctor would have missed two without the test.

      And my insurer thinks every 2 or 3 years is fine for me. I am pushing 60. My sister's oncology team suggests at least every 8 months for me, and they want my daughter (over 35) going in more often than insurers want a woman her age having the test.

      What we have is bean counters with medical 'advisors' giving them cover, being the ones who decide on health care. McMedicine is not healthcare.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +1
      KB723  
    • attilatheblond:

      I am pleased to hear that news attliatheblond, and I agree, more may be better than less.... As for the Corporate bean counters, they too will some day be on the firing line... I Wish I could see the look on their faces... =)

    • 7 months ago
  • Hardytoo
    • +3
      Hardytoo  
    • attilatheblond:

      Thank you ATB for putting your experience "out here." The more info we all get, the better. You've really been thru the mill - I am still so stunned that insurance execs decide who gets care - yet when the righties talk about "public option" or "single payer", they call it "socialism" (oooooh, shudder - so scary) and they make the statement that "the gov't shouldn't decide...." - the fact is that, for example, in our public system, the doctors make the decisions - PERIOD, FULL STOP.
      Yes, the doctors are paid by the government (and very well paid too), as are nurses and other healthcare professionals. It works. Sometimes there are waiting periods for some procedures (colonscopy, mammogram, bone density scans, surgeries) but if there is an identified problem, that person get's "pushed" to the front of the line - without question.

      If you have any access to a free clinic, or a teaching hospital (usually University run), they almost always have a very active screening clinic. Like I've said before, it's a cruel and inhumane system - "criminal negligence" is what it boils down to.

    • 7 months ago
  • attilatheblond
  • KB723
  • kennymotown
    • +6
      kennymotown  

    • My Honey Bunny is now an 8 year breast cancer survivor, she is a trooper and my hero. I remember those days as very long a scary, during chemo she lost her hair and was embarrassed so I shaved my head!

    • 7 months ago
  • TanzaniteDiamonds
  • kennymotown
  • Hardytoo
    • +4
      Hardytoo  
    • kennymotown:

      Kenny, that's wonderful news, the very best boyfriends seem to be in-house here at the Community Boards!!
      I'm so happy to hear that she's doing fine now; good support is a huge part of the battle.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +3
      KB723  
    • kennymotown:

      That's Great News Kenny... I must post this video as it reminded me of what you are talking about.... Hooray!!! I Wish your Honey Bunny many more years.... =)

      p.s. This video always makes me Cry.... =(

    • 7 months ago
  • kennymotown
  • kennymotown
  • KB723
  • kennymotown
  • KB723
  • chew_chew
    • +4
      chew_chew  

    • It takes a mighty cheesy person to go through a thread about cancer, and down vote. So, because I don't like bullies, and because I can, I just up voted every post in this thread.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Pollywollydoodle
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  • chew_chew
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  • ClassicalGas
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  • duzins
  • Wyley_Wombat
    • +5
      Wyley_Wombat  
    • duzins:

      Cancer is more frequent than most people imagine. My father had throat cancer (and did not smoke) my mother and myself have both had pre-cancerous bits of skin removed so I read a good deal about it. As you state we really do need to keep ourselves aware.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +1
      KB723  
    • duzins:

      I am sorry to hear that duzins, and you are quite Welcome... I am Happy you and your sister are taking care, and Yes maybe a Cancer group would be a Great Idea....

    • 7 months ago
  • duzins
  • KB723
  • remanns
  • KB723
  • duzins
  • KB723
  • bailey78
  • KB723
  • Leen61
    • +7
      Leen61  

    • Thanks for posting this, KB. (I'm finally able to comment again) I'm glad this cancer screening review is being launched. I get my mammogram every year but I'm hearing more often they are not accurate. But, I will still get mine next year anyway. In fact there is another method, it's called Thermography and it's alot more accurate, safer and catches cancers earlier. It should be heard about more but big pharma/big insurance doesn't want that to happen.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Leen61
  • KB723
  • Leen61
  • KB723
  • bailey78
  • Wyley_Wombat
    • +4
      Wyley_Wombat  
    • Leen61:

      There is also an ultrasonic method being used in France and the UK. I am not sure if it is still in a trial period or has been certified accurate. The method involves using two beams of ultrasound and measuring the phase difference in the returned echo to give dimensions and location of tissue masses of different density than the surrounding breast tissue. Don't expect this in the US though. I have not heard of it being used here.

      From the male perspective, I would like to see a more accurate test developed for prostate tumors. I have a friend who was sent for a prostate biopsy purely on the basis of his PSA score. The biopsy is an expensive, very painful, and slow to heal procedure. In his case it turned out to be medically unnecessary. However, I do not expect any real development in the US unless insurance / pharma think they can make a big profit.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Leen61
    • +1
      Leen61  
    • Wyley_Wombat:

      Thanks for the info, Wyley_Wombat. Yes, I think men should have more accurate procedures as well. But as you and I know, unless insurance/pharma think they can make big profits, forget it. Sad but true. It's just horrible that this is the state of things in this country regarding health care.

    • 7 months ago
  • artemis6
  • KB723
  • remanns
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  • jackhole
    • +5
      jackhole  

    • Thanks for this on the other site we talked about it. I'm wearing a pink baseball cap for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

      so much to consider when dealing with a diagnosis---the more info out there the better.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +2
      KB723  
    • jackhole:

      Thanks for your comment jackhole, and you are correct, as I am dealing with this issue on a personal basis... It worries me, and at times I feel helpless....

    • 7 months ago
  • ClassicalGas
    • +5
      ClassicalGas  

    • It's a good article, KB, thanks for posting it. The medical community is too often driven by the moneyed interests, and I feel that this is one instance of that.

      Mammograms are painful and often inconclusive, resulting in the need for ultrasound to back up the results. The instances of false positives are too common, also - often resulting in unnecessary and mutilating surgeries.

      I'm not arguing against the screenings, but against the current technology in use.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • dugdog47
    • +4
      dugdog47  

    • I know many women and they all have breasts.

      But seriously, my gal went in for a mammogram, and she said they injected her with radioactive dye, then squeezed her boobs inside a compactor-like machine. That doesn't sound right to me. What if multiple screenings causes cancer?

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
    • +4
      Hardytoo  
    • dugdog47:

      I'm not familiar with "injecting radio-active dye" prior to mammogranm - (it could be if she was having an CT scan too - they inject a short acting isotope that quickly migrates to the tissue to make it appear more obviously - especially if there's a history of surgery or obvious mass - that's standard procedure for almost all CT scans) - (but where there has been previous surgery for a mass, or for breast reduction, they might place small metal balls along the scar as this is the most obvious area of recurrence). And the discomfort is for a short time - they have to "flatten" the breast tissue and that can hurt. But it's far less painful than of cancer.
      There's lots of good info at this site:
      http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/mammograms/types.jsp

      (Please remember that the clinic or private doctor is the place to get the best advice.)

    • 7 months ago
  • dugdog47
    • +3
      dugdog47  
    • Hardytoo:

      Oh em gee. I just asked her to be sure, and your right. They didn't do the radioactive dye for a mammogram. That was for something else. My bad.

      I still don't trust parma though.

    • 7 months ago
  • Hardytoo
    • +7
      Hardytoo  
    • dugdog47:

      Yah. "Big Pharma?" - biggest crooks on the planet (along with investment bankers, which most of them are heavily involved in). (Even Donald Rumsfeld owns his own - "Gilead" - obvious crook).

    • 7 months ago
  • dugdog47
    • +5
      dugdog47  
    • Hardytoo:

      I have a family member who works at a hospital. She really cares about poeple.

      It's not the folks who work hard for their money, it's the higher ups. Insurance folks. Corporate assclowns. Those are the ones who decide how to make more money off poeple. They are true evil.

    • 7 months ago
  • Hardytoo
    • +5
      Hardytoo  
    • dugdog47:

      For sure, dugdog.
      Great expression, "corporate assclowns" - give everybody else a bad name.
      Anyone choosing to work in "hospital" type healthcare certainly isn't in it to the bucks, it's back-breaking work, quite literally.

    • 7 months ago
  • artemis6
    • +2
      artemis6  
    • dugdog47:

      OR causes a cancer tumor to rupture and spread .... Some things were NOT designed to start out spherical and be pressed to a pancake shape , and have that be helpful ...... Imagine if men's balls were "screened " like that ? Would that work for them ?

    • 7 months ago
  • dugdog47
  • wynnmeg61
    • +4
      wynnmeg61  

    • I would recommend that women continue to have regular screenings. A lesion scare is far less harmful than having full blown invasive cancer because you did not get the screenings. Also, the earlier the diagnosis the more options that are available. I would not for one minute think it a good idea to stop regular mammograms because of this controversy. When and if there was verifiable statistics that they cause more harm than good would be when to discuss reducing or discontinuing screening.

      However, the most important thing is actually monthly self exams done correctly and every single month. Knowing ones own body is the best defense.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +2
      KB723  
    • wynnmeg61:

      My girlfriends left breast always hurts and she has had a mammogram as well as an ultrasound recently... But the docs say she has no problems... Can you add anymore info???

    • 7 months ago
  • wynnmeg61
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
    • +4
      Hardytoo  

    • The most important statement in the article is:

      “The best available evidence shows that screening saves lives by detecting cancers earlier than they would otherwise have been." (from the NHS)

      Most docs and nurses worry that women (and men too) will ignore small breast lumps because of fears of x-ray exposure. We all need to use our good sense in this regard. Better to be safe than sorry.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +3
      KB723  
    • Hardytoo:

      Excellent comment H2, but I was more concerned with this statement... What do you make of it???

      An independent review into breast cancer screening has been launched amid concerns that the diagnostic process could be more harmful than beneficial.

    • 7 months ago
  • Hardytoo
    • +3
      Hardytoo  
    • KB723:

      I do see what you and the post are saying, but the risk is so small compared even to a regular x-ray - docs are really worried about "down playing" the risk of having cancer and not knowing - of a woman or man missing the very small changes in dense breast tissue, which mammography detects.
      I think it's really correct that anyone considers the options, and we all need to do regular self-exams, but the technology is there - not to be over-used but used properly and cautiosly. For women, if over 45 yrs old, annual checkups are still recommended. And if a close relative has had breast cancer, start earlier.

    • 7 months ago
  • wynnmeg61
  • KB723
  • KB723
  • wynnmeg61
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
    • +4
      Hardytoo  
    • KB723:

      That's a fairly common pain, but she's absolutely right to have it checked. That pain usually follows a woman's cycle and is related to fluid build-up, throughout the month. I am not minimizing this at all, and she is right to self-examine and have annual mammogram, plus her doctor can check manually in between times.

      Sounds like a smart lady in that she has had it checked. (There'd be zero reason for a doctor to "lie" about it) - this type of condition can produce benign cysts than come and go, too.) (Always seek your own doctor's professional advice though.)

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • wynnmeg61
    • +3
      wynnmeg61  
    • KB723:

      Every insurance is different as to what they cover. You will need to call your insurance to find out if they will cover a second opinion. I would say that calling the Breast Center at the University -- it is in the Anshutz Plaza there by the University Medical Center Hospital. They would be a really good resource and can direct you as to what you need to do.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
    • +3
      Hardytoo  
    • KB723:

      You might suggest that she keep a diary, or a chart of some kind and follow which days are more tender and if/when it subsides. Might put your mind at rest.
      Wynmegg's suggestion is great - any good university has a centre that advocates and provides more frequent exams. (It makes me so angry that anyone has to worry about the costs - I worked in that system and it nearly made me crazy (crazier) - it's cruel and inhumane.) :-(

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
  • wynnmeg61
    • +4
      wynnmeg61  
    • KB723:

      You are certainly welcome. Keep in mind it can really be something as simple as a clog in a duct, or a recurring cyst of the type that will not show on a mammo. If her pain is consistent (as in not comes and goes cyclically) she should get a second opinion. Hardytoo is giving good advice too.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • KB723
  • Hardytoo
    • +3
      Hardytoo  
    • KB723:

      Thanks KB - "realistic" is a better word - nobody need feel embarrassed to discuss breast issues - women or men - our bodies are to celebrated, respected and enjoyed.
      Please give her my best wishes, and to you too - you are the best kind of boyfriend

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
  • attilatheblond
    • +1
      attilatheblond  
    • Hardytoo:

      and some women are caffeine sensitive. Any woman who drinks a lot of caffeinated beverages and has breast pain might consider backing off the stimulant and seeing if that has any impact on the situation.

      Of course, it should be looked at by a competent doctor/tech team first to rule out that nasty C issue.

    • 7 months ago
  • Lisayou
  • KB723
    • +2
      KB723  
    • Lisayou:

      You are welcome Lisayou, I posted it because it has also been part of my Family, and the more we know, the better, but from what I am gathering as well as the article is stating, The process now used could be the wrong way to go...

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +1
      KB723  

    • An independent review into breast cancer screening has been launched amid concerns that the diagnostic process could be more harmful than beneficial.

    • 7 months ago
  • KB723
    • +1
      KB723  

    • “The decision whether to be screened is a personal one, but that decision should be made with all of the potential harms and benefits fully explained.”

    • 7 months ago
  • Lisayou
  • KB723
  • KB723
  • Anonmaly
  • KB723
  • bailey78
  • KB723
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