Physicians and patients alike are in a quandary as to which is the best screening modality for breast cancer.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force set out to answer this question.
Analyzing data for five different modalities, results were evaluated.
The modalities compared were:
- film mammography
- digital mammography
- magnetic resonance imaging
- clinical brest examination
- breast self-examination
After all the results were tabulated, they were deemed inconclusive. However, they did feel that breast self-examination was not necessary.
It seems that if just one life is saved because self-examination is done and after finding a lump, seeks corrective treatment, then the process will have been well worth it.
Are we going to rate the importance of lives along with the return of investment now?
