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In cantons that do not have a screening program, breast tumors are larger at the time of diagnosis. This is according to a study, carried out by comparing data from 19,200 cases of cancer.
Breast cancer screening programs are having an impact. In cantons that do not have such programs, breast tumors are larger at the time of diagnosis, according to a Lucerne study.
In addition, tumor involvement of the lymph nodes was noted less often in cantons with a screening program, the Lucerne Cantonal Hospital and the Hirslanden St. Anna Clinic reported on Monday.
According to the press release, early detection of breast cancer improves the quality of life of those affected. It reduces the number of chemotherapies needed and the duration of anti-hormonal therapies. Additionally, breast reconstructions are required less often.
In cantons with a screening program, healthy women aged 50 to 69 regularly receive a letter inviting them to have a mammogram, a radiological breast examination. However, certain cantons, including those of central Switzerland (Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden and Uri), do not have such a screening program.
“A unique case in the world”
For their study, the Lucerne scientists compared data on 19,200 cases of breast cancer in cantons with a screening program with data on 2,300 patients from cantons without such a program. The results were published in the October edition of the journal ESMO Open.
“This unique case in the world in a single small country with a very high standard of living, but with different screening strategies, shows the benefits of organized breast cancer screening programs,” according to the authors’ conclusions. (ats)
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