ARE THERE BETTER SCREENING TESTS FOR BREAST CANCER THAN MAMMOGRAPHY?
(December 2002) Mammography and self breast examination for early detection of breast cancer are both under attack. Healthful Life supports both (see Archives for editorials), but we would, of course, be very interested in other screening tests if they are proven effective. One of the newer approaches is obtaining breast fluid by use of a breast pump. Results of a 21-year followup of 3,633 women appears in the December 5, 2001 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Also included in the report is a separate nine-year followup of 3,271 women. An increase in the number or size of the cells obtained (called hyperplasia) or the presence of atypical cells increased the risk of subsequent breast cancer. Just obtaining adequate amounts of breast fluid was a risk factor for breast cancer. But, there were inconsistencies in the findings between the two groups of women. In the first group, having atypical cells increased the risk of subsequent breast cancer by 75 percent; in the s
