Quantitative Comparison Between Benefit and Risk of Mammographic Exposure in the Mass Screening of Breast Cancer for Japanese Women

概要

論文の詳細を見る
In Japan, mass screening for breast cancer in women employs physical breast examination, although its efficacy seems not to be adequate. The Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Japanese Government is considering the introduction of mammography for mass screening. However, there is a general fear among the public about the risk of radiation exposure by mammography, especially in Japanese women.<BR>A study was therefore conducted to compare quantitatively the risk of mammography exposure and the benefit of mass screening for breast cancer, and to clarify the age of women above which mammographic screening may be justified. The absorbed dose of radiation produced by screening mammography is assumed to be 0.6 cGy at maximum and 0.2 cGy on average for two-view mammography. The benefit of mass screening for breast cancer is estimated in terms of life-years saved from breast cancer based on the incidence rate among average Japanese women, and the risk of exposure is calculated in terms of loss of years due to radiation-induced breast cancer. The risk and benefit were found to be equal at the age of 30 years, and benefit was found to exceed the risk in women over 30 years of age. In conclusion, mammographic screening seems justified for Japanese women aged 40 years or over, provided that quality control of the radiation dose is established in order to limit the maximum dose to 0.6 cGy.
日本乳癌検診学会の論文