Originally published June 22 2005
Clinicians face dilemma in educating women about breast cancer
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Reuters reports on a problem facing doctors: Should they tell women that the chances of getting breast cancer are actually lower than they probably think, then risk having the patient stop using preventative techniques like screenings and self exams?
Nearly 9 out of 10 women overestimate how likely they are to develop breast cancer in their lifetimes, according to new study findings.
In the study, a group of 175 women estimated that the chance of developing breast cancer was, on average, 46 percent -- much higher than the actual average risk of 13 percent.
Previous research has shown that women who speak to a counselor about their risk of breast cancer tend to become less motivated to schedule regular mammograms -- perhaps because, during counseling, they learn the actual risk of breast cancer is much lower than they expected.
Clinicians are thus faced with a "dilemma," the authors write in the journal Patient Education and Counseling: should they be honest with women about the odds of breast cancer, and risk that this information makes them lackadaisical about screening?
A woman's risk of breast cancer "is not as high as you think it is, but that doesn't mean the risk is zero," study author Dr. Angela Fagerlin of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor told Reuters Health.
"You definitely need to have your screening every year," she added.
In an interview, Fagerlin noted that people likely don't "carry a number in their head of their risk of breast cancer."
Women asked to pinpoint their risk likely are influenced by the fact that people often talk about breast cancer, making it seem more common than it is, she said.
In contrast, if they are told outright that it's 13 percent, that sounds okay.
Fagerlin cautioned that the risk of 13 percent is an "average," and each woman might have a higher or lower risk depending on family history and other factors.
A woman's individual risk "is something only (she and her) doctor can determine," Fagerlin said.
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