In a recent study published in December 2024, Professor Isabel Rubio and her colleagues critically examined the limitations of current age-based breast cancer screening programs, which remain standard in most European countries. Their findings underscore the potential of risk-stratified screening to improve early detection while reducing unnecessary interventions.
Drawing on randomized clinical trial data, the study confirms a ~20% reduction in mortality due to screening but highlights that this benefit could be further optimized by tailoring screening intensity to individual risk.
The authors advocate for integrating polygenic risk scores, family history, breast density, and lifestyle or hormonal factors into clinical models. However, they also point out the current challenges in validating such models and ensuring effective communication with patients.
Ongoing trials such as WISDOM and MyPebs will be instrumental in evaluating the feasibility and public health impact of personalized screening strategies.
Full article: https://lnkd.in/dR6iXyfv
