#195 Is Breast Cancer Being Over Diagnosed?

A prestigious medical journal, The New England Journal Of Medicine, published a study claiming breast cancer is being over-diagnosed and the blame can be laid on mammograms.

 

The head researcher questioned the whole screening process saying that 'screening is a choice, not a public health imperative.'

 

His reasoning?

 

According to his data, Dr. Welch concluded that many tumors or lumps found in breast tissue would never transform into metastatic breast cancer.

 

He claims that tumor size is not as important as biological characteristics which imaging (mammograms included) can never show.

 

Of course, this opinion does not go uncontested.

 

Dr. Daniel Kopans argues that the data is flawed and mammograms are great screening tools. He mentions that breast cancer increased 1%/year from 1940 to 1980 and that screening is a life-saving procedure for most women.

 

We did find it interesting that Dr. Daniel Kopans receives research grant money from GE Medical, who also happens to make equipment for mammograms.

 

What we covered:

 

• The research. Should this study change the way you look at mammograms?
• Politics. How can you be sure that the information you're getting is accurate and what you're being told is in your best interest?
• Creating health vs. treating disease. How the right health strategy not only helps your body fight off cancerous cells but all other diseases as well.
• Why you need to look after yourself. It's OK to have a panel of experts that you consult but at the end of the day, the final decision must be yours.