Madam, – Following all of the positive support garnered for this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness month it is most disappointing that Dr Muiris Houston has publicly stated that perhaps women who are not keen on breast screening simply should not bother (HEALTHplus, October 19th).
While breast cancer remains the most common cancer in women in Ireland, the good news is that survival rates are improving both overall and for all age groups. This is as a result of an increase in breast awareness and early detection.
The latest data from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) shows there were 2,837 new cases of breast cancer in 2008 (2,815 women and 22 men). The highest number of women diagnosed was in the 50-70 age bracket (1,430), with 547 diagnosed in the 40-49 age bracket. Between 1994 and 1997 some 70 per cent of women diagnosed survived for five years and more. This figure has significantly increased to 80.6 per cent for women diagnosed between 2002 and 2006, an increase of over 10 per cent. Survival rates were highest for women across all age groups who presented at an early stage.
It is widely agreed that central to the increase in survival rates is mammography, which is delivered by Breastcheck. We know that international best practice recommends population-based screening using mammography as the best early detection method available for reducing deaths from breast cancer. Evidence of the benefit of screening is strongest for women aged 50-69, and screening should be offered every two years for best effect.
Thankfully, in Ireland we now have this screening service fully in place in every county. Our aim should be to ensure that we have a full participation rate for women in the target age group of 50-69.
The message from the Marie Keating Foundation to all women during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and indeed throughout the year is to attend screening when called by Breastcheck, be breast aware and consult your GP if you notice any unusual changes. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Women deserve to be given honest information about screening mammography (October 22nd). A recent review in the British Medical Journal concluded “there is no doubt that screening for breast cancer has limited benefit and some possibility of harm for an individual women and marginal cost effectiveness for a community”.
Women invited for screening should be given this information as well as the likelihood that they will benefit – less than one in a thousand. Consent for screening is only valid if it is well informed. – Yours, etc,