Better Information on Mammography Needed

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Having a mammogram may be a well-established practice for women, but a new article finds information about mammography needs to be improved. Researchers say there are many misconceptions about mammography and that women need to be informed about the benefits and the potential harms of the procedure in order to make an informed choice.

Study authors from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom comment in an article in the British Medical Journal on the controversy surrounding mammography. They say there are many misconceptions about breast screening that should be cleared up. For example, study authors say the five common misconceptions about mammography screening include:

1. Screening tests are meant for patients with known symptoms
2. Screening reduces the incidence of breast cancer
3. Early detection implies reduced mortality
4. All breast cancers progress
5. Early detection is always a benefit

In the article, the authors point out that screening for cancer actually increases the incidence of the disease. They also say many health care providers ignore the harm that can come with mammography. Some women may suffer physical, emotional, social, financial or psychological harm from having a mammogram. Researchers say it is important for women to understand and be prepared for possible harm that may come from this screening. Furthermore, the authors say the data that is presented on mammography needs to be presented to women in terms that they can understand. They point out even the estimates on how mammography affects death from breast cancer varies greatly and this needs to be explained clearly to women.

In conclusion, researchers feel women must be enabled to make true informed choices about their decision to have a breast screening. Authors state, “It is unacceptable that women taking tests continue to suffer morbidity and regret because they found out the harms of screening from experience.”

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