Wald et al allude to national statistics as the source for their
statement that, without screening, 5% of women die from breast cancer with
3% being in the age group 55-74.(1)
Could they be more specific as to the source of their data?
The US National Cancer Institute, Surveillance Epidemiology and End
Results (SEER) statistics give the lifetime probability of women dying
from breast cancer as 2.836% with 1.224% being in the age group 55-74.(2)
Women offered screening should be given accurate information in a
form they can understand.(3)
Consent for screening is only valid if it is based on full
understanding.
(1) Nicholas J Wald, Malcolm R Law, and Stephen W Duffy. Breast screening saves lives. BMJ 2009; 339: b2922
Rapid Response:
Probability of death from breast cancer
Wald et al allude to national statistics as the source for their
statement that, without screening, 5% of women die from breast cancer with
3% being in the age group 55-74.(1)
Could they be more specific as to the source of their data?
The US National Cancer Institute, Surveillance Epidemiology and End
Results (SEER) statistics give the lifetime probability of women dying
from breast cancer as 2.836% with 1.224% being in the age group 55-74.(2)
Women offered screening should be given accurate information in a
form they can understand.(3)
Consent for screening is only valid if it is based on full
understanding.
(1) Nicholas J Wald, Malcolm R Law, and Stephen W Duffy. Breast screening saves lives. BMJ 2009; 339: b2922
(2) http://seer.cancer.gov/faststats/selections.php#Output
(3) Baines CJ. Mammography screening: are women really giving
informed consent? J Natl Cancer Inst 2003;95:1508-1511.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests