A statistical evaluation of mammography: crucial questions for health systems.

Abstract

This article reviews data on incidence and mortality rates from breast cancer and provides the results from applications of Bayes' Theorem and a test of homogeneity to investigate the efficacy of mammographic screening for breast cancer. The results of our analyses indicate that the accuracy and effectiveness of mammographic screening for breast cancer are debatable. Consequently, we identify crucial unanswered questions for health systems about the heavy reliance on mammography. We recount the current recommendations, standards of practice, and utilization of mammography for breast cancer screening. Finally, we question the language used to describe the conclusions of these studies.