Ultrasound is an adjunct which can determine if a lesion is solid or cystic, it is not a screening test by itself. In the over fifty age group the cancers are slower growing and this allows a long preclinical phase in which to detect and treat the disease. In women under forty, most cancers develop rapidly, and annual screening would provide no protection. In this group a mammogram could be normal today, and before a year is up an invasive tumor could develop. The most important protection here is the regular monthly self exam.
Controversy arises when the age group from forty to fifty is discussed.
In this group there is an apparent mixture of rapidly developing and slower tumors. It follows that some members of this group will be helped, and also that proving or disproving benefit will be difficult. In the past year, the large trials which are being done in Canada, and elsewhere are beginning to show a statistically significant benefit in survival in screened populations in women in their forties. This resulted in a change in screening practices as advised by many respected cancer study groups including the American Cancer Society. To date, in Canada, not all provinces have a fully organized screening program such as we have in Nova Scotia.