232013 Breast and cervical cancer screening -- just how effective are they?

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 3:00 PM - 3:10 PM

Cynthia A. Pearson , National Women's Health Network, Washington, DC
The average woman who is 55 years old today is likely to have been screened for cervical cancer nearly 20 times, and screened for breast cancer over 10 times. How much benefit are women really getting from cancer screening? This presentation will review the evidence for both types of cancer, examining the evidence addressing the reduction in mortality, as well as evidence of reduction in burden of disease and/or treatment. The presenter will discuss the recent controversy over the USPSTF's decision to give mammography screening a C grade for women under age 50. In addition, the presenter will discuss challenges raised by women of color health activists who question the validity of studies that included few if any women of color.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Compare the effectiveness of screening for cervical and breast cancer in reducing mortality.

Keywords: Women's Health, Cancer Screening

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have developed many position papers, fact sheets and newsletter articles about the evidence underlying the effectiveness of breast and cervical cancer screening.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3354.0: Breast and cervical cancer screening: Hype, hope, evidence and equality