A screening must meet the requirement of reducing mortality before being proposed and implemented by the National Health System. Mammography screening for breast cancer has been shown to reduce population-wide mortality for women between the ages of 50 and 69 , but not earlier or later.Some studies show that more frequent mammograms than those suggested for screening can in turn , in a very low but not negligible percentage, favor the appearance of a tumor (also for this reason it is good to contact centers equipped with new machinery, which emit a very low dose of radiation)mammogram screening in Sparta.
Early diagnosis is not always an advantage . In the case of breast cancer identified by mammography , some studies report therisk of overdiagnosis, or rather to identify formations that once discovered are treated, even if it is possible that, if not treated, they would remain indolent. The problem is that with the same diagnosis it is very difficult today to know a priori which tumors will behave in a more or less aggressive way.The decision to undergo a mammogram outside of screening must be based on comprehensive information on the pros and cons and must be made after an interview with a doctor who can assess the individual woman’s risk profile .
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I am 44 years old and I would like to undergo mammography screening , but the National Health System only provides for it from the age of 50. In addition, my family doctor says that before deciding I should have an interview with him to understand if I really need it and which ones. are the advantages and disadvantages of my choice. But if early diagnosis is always a good thing, is this attitude of public health and of the doctor correct? Prevention is better than cure: this is always said when it comes to cancer and it is a generally reliable statement. It is therefore natural to ask: why is an exam that allows you to diagnose breast cancer in advance not offered free of charge to all women of all ages?The reason for screening is typically limited to the age group ranging from 50 to 69 yearsit is because, in this particular period of a woman’s life, previous studies have shown that the disadvantage of a possible overdiagnosis is acceptable and balanced by the advantage of an effective decrease in mortality . Before and after this age group, the screening balance is less favorable, either because the effectiveness is lower or because the life expectancy is more limited.
