Well, here's one that is going to upset Komen's apple cart, with that organization's constant push for "early detection" through screening.
Apparently, even though more cancers--both breast cancer and prostate cancer--are being caught early because of increased use of mammograms and PSA tests, that has not resulted in a decrease in metastatic disease, according to the analysis, which was published in JAMA.
Instead, what is being caught are cancers that pose minimal risk, without making a dent in killer cancers.
In other words, increased screening has not brought about a decrease in mortality from these two cancers. It has meant costly cancer treatment for more people, many of them who did not benefit from the treatment.
The American Cancer Society has already said it will be reconsidering its recommendations on the risks and benefits of breast and prostate cancer screening.
Read more: Breast and Prostate Cancer Screening
While I believe this is true, I will tell the anecdotal story that I had a breast cancer that was caught very early - 4mm - and still I went through chemo because genetic testing showed it to be a very aggressive cancer. I'm still not sure I needed the chemo, but I am sure that mammogram saved my life.
Posted by: Julie Winklepleck | October 22, 2009 at 11:24 AM
Julie--I'm in the same situation. My cancer was caught early, and I've been in treatment ever since. Mine is also a very aggressive one.
I do sometimes wonder what would have happened if it wasn't caught until my lump was large enough for me to feel--would things have been different? Would I be dead by now?
No way to know.
Posted by: jeanne Sather | October 22, 2009 at 01:23 PM