An independent review is under way

Abstract

The BMJ has published several articles over the past few years raising concerns about the accuracy and transparency of information provided to women about the benefits and harms of mammography screening for breast cancer (BMJ 2006;332:538, doi:; 2009;338:b86, doi:; 2010;340:c3106, doi:). Last month the professor of complex obstetrics Susan Bewley sent us for publication an open letter to England’s cancer tsar (BMJ 2011;343:d6894, doi:). Here is the response from Mike Richards

Risk analysis: A dense issue

“…The same month, in an open letter published in BMJ 4 , Richards explained that the purpose of the review was to put to rest criticisms of screening: namely, that the risks outweigh the benefits. The review is due to conclude by summer 2012, he says.…”

Cost of extending the NHS breast screening age range in England

“…The trial aims to assess the risks and benefits of extending mammography screening for breast cancer outside the current 50-70 year age range by offering one extra mammogram to women between the ages of 47 and 49 and up to three to those over 70. Announced as “likely to be the largest randomised controlled trial ever undertaken in the world,”1 during 2010-16 AgeX randomised three million women into the extended age groups and screened one million 2…”

Stakeholders’ positions in the breast screening debate, and media coverage of the debate: a qualitative study

“…These mounting criticisms led to calls for an independent review and the rewriting of the breast screening leaflet. In October 2011 the National Cancer Director Sir Mike Richards announced, in response to an open letter in the British Medical Journal, that he was heading such a review and commissioning the rewriting of the breast screening leaflet by an independent panel of experts (Richards 2011). …”