Medicines not mammograms are behind the reduction in breast cancer deaths

Pharma News: A new Australian systemic review questioned whether population-based mammographic screening or endocrine therapy and chemotherapy (adjuvant therapy) after curative surgery for early or operable breast cancer were associated with the decline in breast cancer mortality.

The decline is breast cancer deaths in the last 20 years can be attributed to the use of therapies such as tamoxifen and chemotherapy, and not to the mammogram screening program, according to an analysis of Victorian women.

The study found that the mammogram screening program did not result in more breast cancer in Victoria being detected at an early rather than an advanced stage, so there was no population mortality benefit. Crude breast cancer mortality declined by 30% after 1994 and the researchers say this was all linked to adjuvant and chemotherapy therapy uptake and not screening.

The authors conclude that BreastScreen should be ceased as persistence with the program may continue to expose women to unnecessary morbidity and mortality.