Breast cancer mammography screening for low-risk women in South Africa

Authors

  • Leon Cornelius Snyman University of Pretoria

Keywords:

mammography, breast cancer screening

Abstract

The recently published opinion by Prof J Apffelstaedt reflecting on the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) breast screening recommendations from a South African perspective refers.1 The conclusion of this opinion is that currently available data indicate that breast cancer screening in South Africa should start at the age of 40 years. This opinion is based on three arguments. The first argument is that no reliable data are available for the South African population, and the incidence of breast cancer is higher and the disease is diagnosed at an earlier age in African American2 and Malaysian women.3 The second argument is that the author is part of a unit that offers high quality mammography screening,4 and the third is that the most important “harm” attributable to mammography is a negligible risk of radiation.1

Author Biography

  • Leon Cornelius Snyman, University of Pretoria
    Principal Specialist Gynaecological Oncology Unit Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology University of Pretoria Pretoria South Africa

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Published

2010-10-06

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2010)

Section

Letters to the Editor

License

South African Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (SAJGO) Copyright is held by South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Copyright of the articles is held by the authors. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial Works 4.0 South Africa License (CC BY NC). Material submitted for publication in the SAJGO is accepted provided it has not been published elsewhere. The SAJGO does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They do no purport to reflect the opinions or views of SASGO or its members.