Annual Breast Cancer Screening Beginning at Age 40 Reduces Mastectomy risk

Annual Breast Cancer Screening Beginning at Age 40 Reduces Mastectomy risk advises study led by Director of The London Breast Institute at The Princess Grace Hospital Dr. Nicholas Perry

Having a yearly mammogram greatly reduces the risk of mastectomy following breast cancer in women between the ages of 40 and 50, according to a study presented on December 1st at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

The researchers studied the benefits of screening women between the ages of 40 and 50, the frequency of mammography and the type of treatment after breast cancer diagnosis. There are currently no routine screening guidelines for women under 50 in the U.K. Dr. Perry and colleagues reviewed the clinical data available on women from 40 to 50 that had been diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at The London Breast Institute. Between 2003 and 2009, 971 women had been diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time of diagnosis, 393 (40 percent) of the women were under 50, with 156 of these women completing treatment at the center.

Data showed that mastectomy was the required treatment for 3 (19 percent) of the 16 women who had been screened the prior year, compared to 64 (46 percent) of the 140 women who had not been screened in the past year.

"Regular screening is already proven to lower the chance of women dying from breast cancer," Dr. Perry said. "The results of our study support the importance of regular screening in the under-50 age group and confirm that annual mammography improves the chances of breast conservation should breast cancer develop."

Dr. Perry's coauthors are Sue Milner, B.Sc., D.C.R., Kefah Mokbel, M.B.B.S., M.S., F.R.C.S., Stephen W. Duffy, B.Sc., M.Sc., andKatja Pinker, M.D.

Please contact the London Breast Institute at www.londonbreastinstitute.co.uk or 020 7908 2031