When first introduced four decades ago, breast cancer screening with mammography was widely regarded as an important tool in the fight against this terrible disease. It seemed obvious that the earlier it could be diagnosed the more lives could be saved. Aggressive treatment, it was thought, would prevent the cancer from spreading through the body. A huge amount of research evidence since then has slowly and painfully led to a …
“First, do no harm,” as suggested by Hippocrates, is a vital principle that should always guide physicians, but they are also well aware that in modern health care, whether in the form of drugs, operations, radiotherapy or any other form of treatment, there is always the possibility of causing harm to their patients. All drugs have potential adverse side effects and all surgery carries risk. Doctors and patients need to …
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