Mammography Screening for A-T Heterozygotes

Abstract

Swift et al (1992) have shown an increased incidence of breast cancer among A-T heterozygotes who had X-ray examinations five or more years prior to the diagnosis of the disease as compared to the incidence in the A-T heterozygotes who had not received such examinations. They assumed that the examinations were the cause for the increased incidence and suggested, therefore, that mammography screening may not be beneficial for A-T heterozygotes. We emphatically disagree: mammography screening is particularly beneficial for A-T heterozygotes whose risk for breast cancer is higher than for the general population.