Breast cancer screening not absolute

DUE to the high number of premature deaths from breast cancer in Irish women, there have recently been calls for screening units in Waterford and Kilkenny.

While every preventative effort that helps to reduce the number of cancer victims must be supported, the case for breast screening units is not as absolute as we think.

We could be terrorising women into a state of hysteria, where they are prepared to submit to a medical regime of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, which can contribute to premature death.