Risks And Benefits In Mammography-Estimating The Inestimable

John C. Bailar III

doi:10.1117/12.965456

23 December 1976 Risks and Benefits in Mammography---Estimating the Inestimable

John C. Bailar III

Proceedings Volume 0096, Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine V; (1976) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.965456
Event: Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine V, 1976, Washington, D.C., United States

Abstract

The potential benefits of X-ray mammography in the early detection of breast cancer have been widely discussed. The risks have not. Every type and energy level of ionizing radiation that has been seriously studied has been found to be carcinogenic, and abundant evidence from both animal and human studies shows that breast cells are sensitive to malignant change from radiation. However, there are no data on long-term effects of precisely the kind of radiation used in mammography. Thus we must extrapolate, and this paper discusses one way to do so. Results are distinctly unfavorable to the mammographic screening of the general asymptomatic population of women under the age of 50. The burden of proof now rests on those who claim that mammography is safe. They have no directly applicable data either, and some of their own extrapolations will be discussed.

Citation Download Citation

John C. Bailar III "Risks and Benefits in Mammography---Estimating the Inestimable", Proc. SPIE 0096, Application of Optical Instrumentation in Medicine V, (23 December 1976); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.965456

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available