Over two million women in the UK are being offered screening for breast cancer every year with an estimated 1,400 lives saved every year by earlier detection.
But screening can lead to over-diagnosis and can result in years of anxiety over health, with a further 200 out of every 2,000 women experiencing some form of distress brought on by the news of false positives.
Professor John Toy, medical director of Cancer Research UK, said that women invited for screening should be made aware of both potential benefits and downsides.
But screening can lead to over-diagnosis and can result in years of anxiety over health, with a further 200 out of every 2,000 women experiencing some form of distress brought on by the news of false positives.
Professor John Toy, medical director of Cancer Research UK, said that women invited for screening should be made aware of both potential benefits and downsides.
