Fierce debates about the benefits and harms of breast cancer
screening have been played out in pages of The Lancet, many
other journals, and the mainstream media for a decade or more.
Many researchers believe that the benefits of screening, in
terms of reduced breast cancer mortality, outweigh the harms
(eg, overdiagnosis). Others think the opposite. These polarised
discussions are likely to have caused confusion among women
about attending for breast screening. In response to this
debate, in October, 2011, England's National Cancer Director,
Mike Richards, initiated an independent review into breast
cancer screening. This assessment is now complete and is
summarised in a Review published in The Lancet. It should begin
to lay the benefits versus harm controversy to rest. The
Independent UK Panel on Breast Cancer Screening led by Professor
Sir Michael Marmot reviewed published work (mainly randomised
trials) and oral and written evidence presented by experts in
the field. They focused on the UK, where women ag