I would go so far as to say that women are being lied to about the benefits of breast screening, and not being told at all about real risks.
Dr. Susan Bewley, a leading women's health physician, argues against routine NHS breast screenings, asserting that women are not fully informed about the risks and benefits of mammograms. Despite having a family history of breast cancer, she has never undergone a mammogram and opposes the procedure. She highlights that declining a mammogram reduces the risk of a breast cancer diagnosis by one-third, referencing studies. Dr. Bewley points out that screenings often detect cancers that may not progress, leading to unnecessary treatments. She cites statistics showing that for every 1,000 women screened, four die from breast cancer, while five more die from other causes. About 100 receive false alarms, and five undergo unnecessary breast removal. Dr. Bewley advocates for informed consent, emphasizing that screening should be a personal choice, not a routine.
