Review of Breast Cancer Screening
Level - UndergradOver the past two decades, intensive research into all aspects of breast cancer has led to many important discoveries. These discoveries are leading to more refined technologies for detecting and diagnosing breast cancer and improved outcomes for patients during and after treatment. However, we still have far to go to significantly reduce the threat of breast cancer from women's lives through early detection and more effective treatments. In 2002, it is estimated that 192,200 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer (another 1500 cases will occur in men), and 40,600 will die from breast cancer. It is the most common cancer among women in each of five major population groups (white, black, Asian and Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and Hispanics) in the US, and the second leading cause of cancer mortality for women in all major population groups with the exception of Hispanics, for whom it is ranked first.
Although routine mammograms for early detection of breast cancer have been conducted widely in the US, two Danish scientists claimed that these tests are not effective in saving lives. Your team was selected by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) to review the current status of breast cancer research, including the effectiveness of mammography and its advantages and drawbacks. You are expected to make a recommendation to the AACR on improving the strategies of breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and prevention.