Screening mammography for women aged 40 to 49 years at average risk for breast cancer: an evidence-based analysis

Medical Advisory Secretariat
Record ID 32007000234
English
Authors' objectives:

The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years at average risk for breast cancer. The following questions were asked: Does screening mammography for women aged 40 to 49 years who are at average risk for breast cancer reduce breast cancer mortality? What is the sensitivity and specificity of mammography for this age group? What are the risks associated with annual screening from ages 40 to 49? What are the risks associated with false positive and false negative mammography results? What are the economic considerations if evidence for effectiveness is established?

Authors' results and conclusions: There is Level 1 Canadian evidence that screening women between the ages of 40 and 49 years who are at average risk for breast cancer is not effective, and that the absence of a benefit is sustained over a maximum follow-up period of 16 years. All remaining studies that reported on women aged under 50 years were based on subset analyses. They provide additional evidence that, when all these RCTs are taken into account, there is no significant reduction in breast cancer mortality associated with screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years.
Authors' recommendations: There is Level 1 evidence that screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years at average risk for breast cancer is not effective in reducing mortality. Moreover, risks associated with exposure to mammographic radiation, the increased risk of missed cancers due to lower mammographic sensitivity, and the psychological impact of false positives, are not inconsequential. The UK Age Trial results published in December 2006 did not change these conclusions.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2007
URL for published report: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/mas/tech/reviews/pdf/rev_mammo_010107.pdf
URL for additional information: http://www.hqontario.ca/en/mas/mas_ohtas_tech_mammo_010107.html
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological
  • Vision Screening
  • Vision Disorders
Contact
Organisation Name: Medical Advisory Secretariat
Contact Address: Medical Advisory Secretariat, 20 Dundas Street West, 10th Floor, Toronto, ON M5G 2N6 CANADA. Tel: 416-314-1092l; Fax: 416-325-2364;
Contact Name: MASinfo.moh@ontario.ca
Contact Email: MASinfo.moh@ontario.ca
Copyright: Medical Advisory Secretariat, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MAS)
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.