Screening mammography reduces morbidity of breast cancer treatment

Abstract

Objective: This commentary discusses the retrospective cohort study by Barth et al. studying the effect of screening mammography on morbidity of breast cancer treatment.

Conclusion: Barth et al. found that cancers identified at screening mammography (versus those detected by physical examination) were smaller and more frequently node-negative. Hence, the former group of breast cancer patients was more likely to be treated with less morbid therapy. This evidence-based study contributes to the clinical practice of screening mammography.