Monday 20th October 2003 7pm
Professor Michael Baum:
‘False premises, false promises, false positives: should we be
screening for breast cancer?’
Over 40000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year – and
the rate is still increasing. Nonetheless mortality rates are falling and
this is, at least in part, due to the NHS screening programme, which allows
for earlier detection. But is screening leading to the over zealous
treatment of some women, with surgeons removing pre-cancers that might
never develop into breast cancer? Are women properly informed? Should we be
screening at all? Should limited resources be focused on detection,
prevention or treatment?
Tonight's speaker, leading breast cancer surgeon, Michael Baum, looks at
the science, politics and ethics of breast cancer screening. Baum is
Emeritus Professor of Surgery and visiting professor of medical humanities
at UCL; he chairs one of the largest breast cancer trials worldwide and set
up the NHS Breast Screening Programme in the south east in 1987; after
leaving the programme, Baum became an outspoken critic of mammography
screening. In the chair is Daniel Glaser, neuroscientist at UCL.
Come along, air your views, ask questions or just listen. Join us at 7pm in
the Nash Room, Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London (£5,4,3
admission). No scientific background required. Box office and ticket
information: 020 7930 3647. For further information about Café Scientifique
visit www.cafescientifique.org
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