Exclusion from mammographic screening of women genetically predisposed to breast cancer will probably eliminate mammographically induced breast cancer.
In this paper we present our view on the contribution of mammography examinations to breast cancer induction in patients with hereditary breast cancer predisposition. We contradict the usual reasoning that the benefits of early breast cancer detection outweigh the small number of induced breast cancers. Though this tenet is justified in the majority of women, yet in a small, readily identifiable group of hereditary effected women, radiation even in small doses may enhance oncogenesis. If this relatively small group of patients is barred from mammography and regularly screened with other means, mammography may even become a more safe procedure.
den Otter
W
W
Department of Pathology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Merchant
T E
TE
Beijerinck
D
D
Koten
J W
JW
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D005134:Eye Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008403:Mass Screening; D008593:Menopause; D012175:Retinoblastoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D012307:Risk Factors