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WOMEN aged 50 and above should still go for mammograms, despite a recent Norwegian study that suggested mammograms are less beneficial than perceived for women in this age group, said an oncologist at the National Cancer Centre of Singapore.
The research, published in last week’s issue of the New England Journal Of Medicine, said that regular mammograms reduced the risk of dying from breast cancer by just 10 per cent – significantly lower than the World Health Organization estimate of 25 per cent.
But mammograms – which can detect very small tumours – are still the most effective tool for early detection of breast cancer, said Dr Ho Gay Hui.
While the study found that a drop in deaths from breast cancer has resulted mostly from better treatment and awareness of the disease, Singapore’s breastcancer mortality rate has not changed since 1990.
Breast cancer is the top cancer among Singapore women.
From 2004 to 2008, an average of 1,430 new cases were diagnosed yearly. An average of 328 women died from it each year during that time.
The Norwegian population and ours are vastly different, in terms of basic risk profile, lifestyle and fertility issues, pointed out Dr Ho, a senior consultant of the department of surgical oncology at the cancer centre.
The detection rate of breast cancer – 4.6 cancers for every 1,000 women – using mammography is on a par with that of the United States, she said.
The peak incidence of breast cancer is among women aged 55 to 59, according to the Health Promotion Board.
This October – which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – the Breast Cancer Foundation is encouraging women aged 50 and above to go for mammogram screening regularly – once every two years.
This October, women above 40 will get $10 off the usual price of a mammogram at 43 clinics islandwide. The terms and conditions, and a full listing of clinics, can be found at www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg
THE FIVE STAGES OF BREAST CANCER
- Stage 0: Very early breast cancer. It has not spread.
Survival rate: 98 per cent
- Stage 1: The cancer is no larger than about one inch in size and has not spread outside the breast.
Survival rate: 90 to 95 per cent
- Stage 2: Early breast cancer. The cancer may be no larger than one inch, but has spread to lymph nodes under the arm; or is larger than two inches, but has not spread.
Survival rate: 60 to 75 per cent
- Stage 3: Locally advanced. The cancer can be smaller or larger than two inches and has spread to lymph nodes under the arm, other lymph nodes and even tissues near the breast.
Survival rate: 40 to 50 per cent
- Stage 4: Metastatic. The cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lungs.
Survival rate: 10 to 20 per cent
Sources: Singapore Cancer Society and the University of California Medical Center
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