Mammography may benefit women over 80

HOUSTON, April 22 (UPI) -- About 17 percent of breast cancer is diagnosed in women age 80 and one-fifth have routine mammograms, but U.S. researchers suggest all 80-plus women should.

The study, published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, is the first to specifically assess the screening modality in women older than 80.

Senior author Dr. Gildy Babiera, Dr. Brian Badgwell and colleagues used data from the National Cancer Institute database for 1996 to 2002 and mammography rates in the five years prior to diagnosis.

In total, 12,358 women over age 80 were analyzed and the researchers found 68 percent of regular users of mammograms were more likely to be diagnosed with stage I breast cancer, while 56 percent of non-users of mammograms and 33 percent of irregular users were more often diagnosed with stages II, III or IV cancer.

"Finding breast cancer early in this age group may not result in survival benefit and it may even increase unnecessary angst in elderly women," Babiera said in a statement.

"However, if the woman is otherwise healthy and could be a surgical candidate, should breast cancer be found by a routine mammogram, perhaps she could be offered less invasive treatment and spared from toxic therapies given to women diagnosed with advanced breast cancer."