DELAYING the age at which breast cancer screening starts from 45 to 50 might
reduce the risk of X-rays triggering a tumour, say Spanish researchers.
Every year millions of women are screened with X-rays to pick up signs of
breast cancer. If this happens early enough, the disease can often be treated
successfully. According to a survey published last year, 21 countries have
screening programmes. Nine of them, including Australia, Canada, the US and
Spain, screen women under 50.
But the medical benefits of screening these younger women are controversial,
partly because the radiation brings a small risk of inducing…
