Mammographic breast cancer screening for women previously treated with high breast doses for diseases such as Hodgkin's.
In screening of a general population for breast cancer, benefit/risk ratios are of the order of 100/1. For the very small subgroup of women treated by radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease below age 35, calculations of this type require different considerations, an overview of which is given in this text. It is concluded that although such previous exposures will increase their radiation risk, their increased risk of carrying an undetected breast cancer means that the potential benefit for them of screening is increased even more. In the United Kingdom, the Department of Health has recommended annual screening for these women.
Faulkner
K
K
Quality Assurance Reference Centre, Wallsend, Tyne and Wear NE28 9ND, UK. keith.faulkner@nhs.net
Law
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000379:methods*; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014965:X-Rays