A long-standing mammography screening program for women aged 50 to 69 is demonstrably reducing breast cancer mortality rates in Germany, according to a study released Wednesday in Berlin. The findings were presented during an event attended by Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and Federal Health Minister Nina Warken.
The study, analyzing data from 2009 to 2018, revealed a reduction of 20 to 30 percent in breast cancer deaths among women who participated in the screening program, in comparison to those who did not. Breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer affecting women, with approximately one in eight women in Germany diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime. Tragically, the disease leads to the deaths of an estimated 18,500 women annually.
The research, coordinated by the Federal Office for Radiation Protection and primarily conducted by the University of Münster, sought to definitively assess the impact of Germany’s mammography screening program. Its results align with prior international studies, which predicted that a screening program for women aged 50 to 69 could potentially avoid roughly 25 percent of breast cancer deaths.
“The study results are very welcome news for all women in Germany who receive an invitation to mammography screening” stated Minister Warken. “Women can be assured that participation is demonstrably beneficial, enabling early detection and increasing chances of successful treatment.
Minister Schneider added that the findings confirm that “the benefit of the examination is greater than the risk – particularly because radiation protection in the medical field in Germany is at a very high level”.