The Norwegian study, led by Pal Suhrke at Oslo Hospital, analyzed the rates of breast cancer surgery in 35,408 women aged 40-79 with invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ, treated surgically from 1993-2008.
The study found that mammogram screening was associated with a noticeable increase in breast cancer surgery rates in women ages 50-69. The study also found an increase in mastectomy rates compared to those women who were not invited to undergo screening. However, overall mastectomy rates also declined towards the end of the study duration.
One expert pointed out that more mastectomies are not necessarily a bad thing. Carol Lee, MD, chairperson of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Communications Committee, said more screenings could lead to more identification of breast cancer, which would in turn prompt more surgeries.
The study did not explore mortality rates or whether the surgeries were necessary, according to the report.
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