Dear AuntMinnie Member,
A new study out this week further validates the effectiveness of screening mammography. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the study found that women whose cancers were detected through screening mammography had better outcomes than those whose cancers were found through other methods.
The study was conducted by Finnish researchers who analyzed the records of women with unilateral breast carcinoma, according to staff writer Shalmali Pal, who reports on the story for our Women's Imaging Digital Community.
The group found that tumors detected through screening mammography were typically smaller than those discovered with other methods -- possibly indicating that the tumors were found earlier. Women whose cancers were found outside of mammography also required more invasive treatments such as mastectomy and axillary dissection, and they had higher rates of tumor recurrence away from the original cancer.
In light of such findings, one might think that screening mammography compliance would be assured. But it is not, at least in the U.S., where a separate study analyzes the reasons why screening compliance is still a problem despite growing evidence of mammography's benefits.
This study found that women who suffer from depression are less likely to undergo annual mammograms -- perhaps due to feelings of self-neglect and a self-defeating attitude, the researchers found. The researchers go on to suggest that evaluating women for depression should be a part of any screening program.
You'll find both articles in our Women's Imaging Digital Community, at womens.auntminnie.com.
