Posted on: Monday, February 4, 2002

EDITORIAL
Mammograms should be kept for diagnoses

It appears that the debate over the value of mammograms in detecting and treating cancer will continue for some time.

That can be a healthy thing, if it helps clarify the value of this form of detection in the overall effort to avoid and treat cancer.

But lingering questions about the extent of benefit from mammography must not obscure the fact that it remains a valuable diagnostic tool.

For years, the medical community was unanimous in recommending regular mammograms for women over 50 and for those in particular high-risk groups. Then, about two years ago, Danish researchers raised questions about earlier Swedish trials that suggested regular mammograms could cut breast cancer deaths by 30 percent.

The Danish research suggested there was little, if any, difference in the mortality rates of those who had regular mammograms and those who did not.

Since there are costs, both personal and physical as well as financial, associated with this form of testing, the question arose: If it doesn't make any difference, why do it?

News reports last week now suggest that the Danish team's doubts may have been based on flawed data and that, indeed, there is value to mammagrophy. So where does that leave the average woman?

The best advice is to leave the debate about the statistical validity of studies to the researchers and heed the advice of the medical experts, including the American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society.

They are among 10 groups in the United States that have urged women in the indicated risk groups to continue to get their yearly mammogram.

That makes sense. Even if the 30 percent death reduction found in that early Swedish study turns out to be over-inflated, there is still ample evidence that this form of early detection works.

It is pointless to wait for the perfect study or the perfect treatment. We must deal with what we have and what we know.

That means, in consultation with their doctors, that women should continue to get this form of check-up.

And equally important, health plans should continue to cover the procedure.