Overdiagnosis of Breast Cancer in Older Women: Study Finds Potentially Unnecessary Treatment

Breast cancer diagnoses in older women could potentially be leading to unnecessary treatment, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The study found that large numbers of American women between the ages of 70 and 85 may be overdiagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in unnecessary treatment. Overdiagnosis refers to finding breast cancers on screenings that would never have become clinically apparent. The study looked at 54,635 women aged 70 or older who had recently been screened for breast cancer and estimated that 31% of women aged 70 to 74 were potentially overdiagnosed. Among women aged 75 to 84, an estimated 47% were potentially overdiagnosed. The age group most likely to be overdiagnosed were women aged 85 and older, with 54%. The risk of breast cancer decreases as women age into their 80s since they are more likely to die of other health conditions. Technological advancements in screening methods have led to more breast cancer diagnoses among women. However, not all breast cancers are destined to grow, spread or kill due to their genetic makeup. Treating less-threatening cancers with aggressive treatment such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can sometimes be unnecessary and even harmful to patients. Overtreatment can increase the risk of complications, particularly in older patients, and cause stress and financial trouble. The decision to get screened for breast cancer is up to the individual, and more research needs to be done to determine whether screening is beneficial for women of a certain age. In the near future, doctors may be able to monitor low-risk breast cancers in the same way that low-risk prostate cancers are treated. This would involve watching patients instead of providing aggressive treatment.