GLOBAL SUMMIT ON MAMMOGRAPHIC SCREENING

Peter Boyle, MD, of the European Institute of Oncology announces the findings of the
Global Summit on Mammographic Screening, held in Milan, Italy.

Milan, June 4, 2002 - The current controversy regarding the efficacy of mammographic screening is one of the most important issues in cancer control at the present time. This has created confusion in the minds of many women as well as their doctors.

In response to this situation, a Global Summit on Mammographic Screening was organized at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan between the 3-5th June, 2002. The meeting was planned in collaboration with the World Health Organization, the European Commission, the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Italian Cancer Foundation, the European Society for Medical Oncology, the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the International Union Against Cancer. The meeting was open to everyone interested and advocates and critics of screening were invited.

"Forty years of clinical trials, the contribution of hundreds of scientists and health workers and the dedication of hundreds of thousands of women to participate in studies lasting for decades, has resulted in adequate evidence to support the efficacy of mammographic screening and its transfer from the research arena to that of Public Health policy," said Professor Peter Boyle, Director of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the European Institute of Oncology.

"Doctors can be reassured that Mammographic Screening is a valuable Public Health measure, with a solid evidence base. It is important, however, not to overestimate the impact of such screening. The reduction in mortality in women invited to screening is recently estimated as being between 21% and 23%. The reduction in women who actively participate is substantially greater. Women should be reassured that their participation in organized screening programmes, with high quality control standards in place, will be beneficial. Doctors should actively encourage such participation and make special efforts to increase participation among women in the lowest socio-economic groups. Women should also be informed where there are areas of conflicting research findings".

"The recent Global Summmit on Mammographic Screening should be the last time all the trials are discussed since the evidence of benefit is convincing. Attention should now focus on the evaluation of the effectiveness of organised (service) Screening. It is essential to include information about treatments in the evaluation of such screening programmes. The best outcome in a Programme will only come in the presence of the most appropriate treatment," said Dr. Boyle.

For more information, please contact the American-Italian Cancer Foundation at 212-628-9090 or the European Institute of Oncology at 39-02-5748-9815.