Regular mammography screening significantly reduces the chance of death from breast cancer in women, according to the results of the longest running breast cancer screening study ever conducted. The results of the survey are published in the July 2011 issue of Radiology.
The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare oversaw the 29-year study, which followed 133,065 Swedish women 40-74 years old. The women were randomly placed into two groups; one group was invited to participate in regular mammography screenings and the other received usual care.
Survey results pointed to a considerable decrease in breast cancer mortality in the women who attended the regular screenings.
The new data supports the importance of annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for women beginning at 40. The ASRT supports support the guidelines, which also are recommended by the American Cancer Society.