TY - JOUR
T1 - Number needed to screen
T2 - Lives saved over 20 years of follow-up in mammographic screening
AU - Tabar, L.
AU - Vitak, B.
AU - Yen, M. F A
AU - Chen, H. H T
AU - Smith, R. A.
AU - Duffy, S. W.
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Objective: To estimate the number needed to screen with mammography to save one life, based on a stated amount of screening activity and long-term follow-up for breast cancer death. Setting: A randomised controlled trial of mammographic screening for breast cancer, with 77,080 women invited to screening and 55,985 not invited. The invited group was offered screening for seven years. Follow-up continued for a total of just over 20 years. Methods: Number needed to screen for seven years to save one life over 20 years was calculated by dividing the number screened (not the number invited) by the total number of lives saved. Similarly, we calculated the number of mammographic examinations required to save one life. Results: We estimate that the number of women needed to screen for seven years to save one life over 20 years is 465 (95% CI 324-819). The number of mammographic examinations needed to save one life was 1499 (95% CI 1046-2642). Conclusions: The number needed to screen to save one life is smaller than has been reported in the past. Mammographic screening is effective in absolute terms as well as relative. Long-term follow-up allowed us to estimate the absolute benefit with greater accuracy.
AB - Objective: To estimate the number needed to screen with mammography to save one life, based on a stated amount of screening activity and long-term follow-up for breast cancer death. Setting: A randomised controlled trial of mammographic screening for breast cancer, with 77,080 women invited to screening and 55,985 not invited. The invited group was offered screening for seven years. Follow-up continued for a total of just over 20 years. Methods: Number needed to screen for seven years to save one life over 20 years was calculated by dividing the number screened (not the number invited) by the total number of lives saved. Similarly, we calculated the number of mammographic examinations required to save one life. Results: We estimate that the number of women needed to screen for seven years to save one life over 20 years is 465 (95% CI 324-819). The number of mammographic examinations needed to save one life was 1499 (95% CI 1046-2642). Conclusions: The number needed to screen to save one life is smaller than has been reported in the past. Mammographic screening is effective in absolute terms as well as relative. Long-term follow-up allowed us to estimate the absolute benefit with greater accuracy.
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U2 - 10.1258/0969141041732175
DO - 10.1258/0969141041732175
M3 - Article
C2 - 15333270
AN - SCOPUS:4644294111
SN - 0969-1413
VL - 11
SP - 126
EP - 129
JO - Journal of Medical Screening
JF - Journal of Medical Screening
IS - 3
ER -
