Study: Mammograms Overrated as Lifesaver

Mammograms may play a smaller role in preventing breast cancer deaths than experts had thought, a new study finds. Better treatments and early diagnosis through mammography both have improved survival. The study’s design allowed researchers to separate the effects of each one. The study focused on Norway. The country began a mammogram screening program in 1996. It included women ages 50 through 69 in certain counties. They were tested every 2 years. The program later was expanded to the whole country. The study included about 40,000 women with breast cancer. Researchers looked at death rates among those women in counties that did and did not offer screening. They also looked at breast cancer death rates for the same counties 10 years before screening started. Death rates from breast cancer fell in the counties that had screening.