Research Results That Clashed – What's the Right Answer?

This chapter uses a series of case studies to illustrate that inconsistent research findings are all too common. The first case deals with the use of mam-mography to screen for breast cancer and how the appearance of a negative study, after a run of studies that supported the use of mammography, caused the medical community to rethink the value of mammography. Eventually after a consensus was reached that mammography could detect early cancer and save lives, doubts lingered because of the harm caused by false positive results. The second case follows the disastrous plight of the contraceptive device, Dalkon Shield. Reports claiming the Shield caused a pelvic inflammatory disease became so pervasive that the product had to be withdrawn, but the number of lawsuits drove the company into bankruptcy. However, it appears likely that its downfall may have been due to shoddy research and overzealous regulators. The final example involves aspirin use to prevent a heart attack. Using the same kind of subject (doctors) and similar designs, contrasting results between major U.S. and U.K. trials occurred. Although additional research supported the US findings of a positive effect, the FDA never approved this use of aspirin.