Benefit and Harm Associated with Screening for Breast Cancer

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Abstract
Despite many high-quality randomized trials, the balance of harm and benefit attributable to breast-cancer screening is not known for women 40 to 49 years of age. In this issue of the Journal, Elmore et al.1 describe a high rate of false positive results of such screening. Over a period of 10 years, nearly one third of the women screened had at least one false positive mammogram or clinical breast examination. Physicians must integrate this information into their approach to helping women decide about breast-cancer screening.Periodic screening invites repeated exposure to the possibility of a false positive result, as occurs . . .