Breast Screening

[grandmoon]

I have just received a letter about the government has extended the age of for the free breast screening until the age of 74,

[freddie*rooster]

Also unusual puckering around the nipple needs checking.

[azureline**]

If it wasn't for breast cancer awareness month and the free screening van being visible in the small town I lived near, I would never have been diagnosed.................. and I would be dead now.

[polksaladallie]

Most men die with prostate Ca, not from it.  Some scientists believe the same for women. i.e. many die with BC, not from it.  So the women who go to the extent of having surgery in their seventies or eighties will be making no difference to their longevity.  They would have lived to ninety or more regardless.  So it follows that many earlier surgeries make no difference to the lifeline, and they make no difference to the death rate. 

[azureline**]

would you be willing to take that risk?

Surely it depends on the grade and the type of cancer?

[polksaladallie]

A new study claims mammograms overdiagnose breast cancer.

http://www.slate.com/articles/double_x/doublex/2012/12/are_mammograms_useless_new_england_journal_of...

There are many papers on this subject, after I do my housework I will try to find the one which is very detailed.

[polksaladallie]

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@azureline** wrote:

would you be willing to take that risk?

Surely it depends on the grade and the type of cancer?

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Yes it does.  Aggressive cancers need aggressive treatment, but others do not. 

[cherry*135]

My Mum had breast cancer op when she was 89.