Screening: is breast cancer overdiagnosed?

Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2009 Dec;6(12):682-3. doi: 10.1038/nrclinonc.2009.172.

Abstract

Jørgensen and Gøtzsche quantified the degree of overdiagnosis of breast cancer in five publicly organized mammography screening programs in different parts of the world. overall, they estimated a total degree of breast cancer (including carcinoma in situ) overdiagnosis of 52%, while overdiagnosis for invasive breast cancer was 35%, a finding with potential implications for both clinical practice and public health.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnostic Errors
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mammography / standards*