Radiologic clinics of North America
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Radiol. Clin. North Am. · Nov 1995
ReviewWhy question screening mammography for women in their forties?
Groups that do not recommend mammography for all women in their forties do so with reason. Even after seven randomized controlled trials and participation by over 170,000 women it is not clear whether screening women in this age group for breast cancer saves lives. It is clear that in contrast to older women, in women in their forties there is no effect for several years after screening begins, and an uncertain marginal effect after a decade. ⋯ When a health care intervention is recommended for every person in our society, costs mount fast. At any time, but particularly in an era of cost constraints, it is not only reasonable but incumbent on all involved in health care to look carefully at how much benefit there is for the expenditure and how strong is the scientific evidence. Second, many persons who consider prevention activities argue that there is an ethical reason.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)