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German Mammography Screening Cuts Breast Cancer Mortality by Up to 30 Percent and Urges Lower Age Threshold

The Federal Office for Radiation Protection is calling for invitations to start at 45 following evidence that screening lowers breast cancer deaths by up to 30 percent

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Ein Computerbildschirm mit einer Mammographie-Aufnahme
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Overview

  • A BfS evaluation based on data from 2009 to 2018 shows that regular participants cut their risk of dying from breast cancer by 20–30 percent.
  • Women aged 50 to 75 receive free biennial mammography invitations under the program, with about half of those eligible taking part each cycle.
  • The BfS recommends reducing the lower age limit from 50 to 45 to reach an estimated 5,000 additional women who develop breast cancer each year.
  • Screening is conducted in certified centers under strict European standards, and abnormal findings are managed through specialized breast clinics.
  • Experts emphasize that the mortality reduction significantly outweighs the minimal radiation risk and the known rates of false positives and overdiagnoses.