Breast Cancer Screening: A Summary of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

View larger version (14K): [in a new window]   Figure. Relative risk compared with average years of follow-up for women 40 to 49 years of age, women 50 to 74 years of age, and all women. Estimated curves are from a hierarchical meta-regression model. Dotted curves represent 95% credible intervals.

View larger version (27K): [in a new window]   Appendix (Figure 1). Analytic framework. Trials of mammography link screening to health outcomes, but do not address the intermediate steps (screening and early treatment) or harms (adverse effects of screening and early treatment). Arrows indicating screening and early treatment represent the intermediate steps in the causal chain linking screening with improved mortality and morbidity.

View larger version (19K): [in a new window]   Appendix (Figure 2). Selection of randomized trials for the systematic review and meta-analysis.