Breast Cancer Screening: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Theories

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of breast cancer screening, examining its advantages and disadvantages within the context of sociological theories, particularly those of Armstrong, Eborall, and Chris Gillespie. It delves into the usefulness of screening programs, referencing data from the NHS and UK research centers to evaluate their impact on public health. The report highlights the significance of early detection and the potential for reducing mortality rates, while also acknowledging the drawbacks, such as the risk of misdiagnosis and the psychological impact on patients. The report also examines the trends of breast cancer in the UK, including incidence and mortality rates, and discusses the various screening programs offered by the NHS, including mammography. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of screening in protecting public health and reducing the need for costly treatments, advocating for participation in screening programs to mitigate the risks associated with breast cancer. The report uses data from various sources, including the NHS and cancer research organizations, to support its findings and provides a balanced perspective on the benefits and challenges of breast cancer screening.

Screening: Advantages and disadvantages

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SCREENING: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Analysis of usefulness of screening with respect to the following theories..........................2
Key concepts of Armstrong theory of Surveillance Medicines.............................................2
Major concepts of Armstrong and Eborall theory of Medical Surveillance..........................2
Chris Gillespie’s theories of Surveillance medicine..............................................................3
Screening programs offered by NHS.....................................................................................3
Usefulness of screening..........................................................................................................3
Trends of breast cancer in UK...............................................................................................4
Advantages of screening of breast cancer..............................................................................4
Disadvantages of screening of breast cancer.........................................................................4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................6

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SCREENING: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Introduction
In this report a brief analysis will be done over the advantages and disadvantages of screening
of the breast in order to know about usefulness of screening. On the bases of data of
screening programs offered by NHS and UK research centre, the analysis will be done. The
importance and impact of screening will be scrutinised in order to ensuring about a
satisfactory public health. The theories of Surveillance medicines by Armstrong, Eborall
and Chris Gillespie will be described with a focus on attaining a sound physical and mental
health of public by controlling the risk of having any disease
Analysis of usefulness of screening with respect to the following theories
Key concepts of Armstrong theory of Surveillance Medicines
Armstrong stated that the whole population is at a risk of diseases that is why screening
should be the part of medicines. He believes that only having no disease is not the indication
of being healthy but health is defined as not having any disease also in future. Armstrong
focuses over the physical as well as mental well-being of people (Armstrong, 1995).
Armstrong realised the need of surveillance medicine because of increasing trends of diseases
in twenty first century. He believes that for obtaining a good social and public health,
screening of some specific diseases is required. He focuses that protection for not having any
disease in future is far better than taking treatments after facing the symptoms and
consequences of diseases (Armstrong, 1995).
Although, medical science have created latest methods for curing diseases but still some of
the diseases like breast cancer, still cannot be treated at later stages. The theory of Armstrong
focuses over the protection of the whole public with the help of various surveillance
medicines including screening as a part of medicines. By adopting these methods, the health
of the public can be protected and maintained. (Armstrong, 1995).
Major concepts of Armstrong and Eborall theory of Medical Surveillance
This theory focuses over the importance of screening in today’s scenarios. It stated that
medical strategy of screening is a very good method to avoid medicines. Authors believe that
avoiding the risk of having any disease is a better way rather than having any disease and
then taking treatment for it. This theory is very helpful in understanding the usefulness of

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screening of breasts. According to this theory screening of breasts is very useful in protecting
the public from breast cancer (Eborall, 2012).
Chris Gillespie’s theories of Surveillance medicine
.The theory of surveillance medicines by ‘Chris Gillespie’ also stated that not having any
disease is not an indication of good health. But the social and psychological factors should be
analysed in order to ensure about the sound health of a person (Gillespie, 2015). This theory
focuses over the vulnerability of people of society with diseases. Authors believe that
screening helps in maintaining a satisfactory health of society by ensuring about not having
any future disease. He said now days many risk factors are responsible for the increasing
diseases. According to this theory screening prevent the public from breast cancer (Gillespie,
2015).
Screening programs offered by NHS
Government of UK are offering screening to women of age above 50 years. NHS is offering
screening test named as BSP (Breast Screening Programme) to the women who already
registered with GP and have an age of above 47 years. Women are eligible for screening at
any age if they found any irregularities in their breast. With the help of NHS Breast Cancer
Program, government is ensuring about the control of this life taking disease in females of the
country (NHS, 2019).NHS is offering the screening test for the women after a regular time
period of three years. Although having screening or not is the personal choice of woman.
Mammography test is used in screening and with the help of mammogram; doctors identify
any irregularities in the breasts (NHS, 2019).
After the age of 30 years the risk of breast cancer is increased. In that case screening after a
regular interval can be the only method to save the life from breast cancer. Now a day,
screening is also suggested to the young girls. In many cases, the breast cancer is diagnosed
at late stages and at that time doctors could not help the patients from dying because till now,
breast cancer is incurable at later stages. Because of the incurable and dangerous
characteristics of the diseases, it is better to have a screening rather than taking a risk of death
(NHS, 2019).
Usefulness of screening

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SCREENING: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Screening is a strategy to save the people from the disease which can be proved fatal for their
life. Screening is designed to identify the group of people who are prone to risk for breast
cancer and required further treatment. Screening found effective in such cases where the early
symptoms of the disease diagnose by the test. Screening can be applies to whole public in
order to secure them from breast cancer. Unhealthy lifestyle, Obesity, increasing cholesterol,
substance misuse and increasing age factors are the major causes which are responsible for
the risk of breast control in today’s scenario. Lack of physical exercise, depression and
anxiety makes the people more vulnerable with respect to breast cancer. Because of all these
factors, requirement of screening is found at an imperative level for achieving a better public
health (Patsy Whelehan, 2013).
Trends of breast cancer in UK
Breast cancer is the most common cancer found in female candidates of UK population. One
among seven women found to develop the breast cancer in her whole life whereas almost
55,000 women and 370 men were diagnosed with breast cancer per year in UK (statistics,
2019). Although breast cancer mostly occurs in women, but it’s possible for men too. 55,213
new numbers of cases are found in UK having breast cancer in between 2014-2016.
According to the data of 2015-2017, there are around 11,400 people are died because of
breast cancer every year. It represent 31 women are died per day. Only 23% cases of breast
cancer can be preventable in UK in 2015 (UK, 2019).
The data of NHS program 2016-2017 stated that among the 2.20 million women who are
aged 45 years or above screened in the program (NHS, 2018). Whereas only 18,402 women
detected by breast cancer. It is only 8.4 cases per 1000 women (NHS, 2018).
Advantages of screening of breast cancer
Early detection of breast cancer is always beneficial for treatment (S M Moss, 1994). Only
with the help of small surgery or radiotherapy the disease can be treated at an early stage.
Screening saves one life for every 200 women on annual bases. It can be said that 1300 lives
saved from this diseases per year with the help of screening. This statistics shows that
screening is extremely helpful for women in protecting their life from breast cancer (UK,
2019).
Disadvantages of screening of breast cancer

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SCREENING: ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Exposure of UV-rays, misdiagnosed, cost of further treatments when not required by the
person and repeated check-ups is the major disadvantages of screening. The statistics
represents that 4000 women are screened every year that are not prone to the disease (UK,
2019). Sometimes screening results in diagnosed of cancer because of lumps present inside
breast but every lump is not prone to cancer (Donella Puliti, 2012). In this case, women are
misdiagnosed and lead towards further test which results in anxiety and tension (BBC, 2018).
Many of the doctors believe that women need screening only when they feel or notice any
lumps in their breasts. Moreover, precaution is always better than cure (Paci, 2012).
Conclusion
According the analysis of the trend of Breast cancer for UK population, this can be said that
screening help in identifying the early stage of breast cancer and no doubt it helps the people
in protecting their lives. Screening has also some disadvantages but it reduces the risk of
death from breast cancer. By analysing the theories of Armstrong, Eborall and Chilli
Gillespie, it can be concluded that screening protect the people from harmful diseases and
reduce the risk of receiving the costly and complex treatments by hospitals. According to
these authors, screening is a best method to prevent the public health. To avoid the risk of
having life taking diseases like Breast Cancer, public should attend the screening programs
offered by government of UK and NHS.

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References
Armstrong, D., 1995. The rise of surveillance medicine. SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH &
ILLNESS, 17(3), pp. 393-404.
BBC, 2018. Breast cancer screening programme 'does more harm than good'. [Online]
Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44016206
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
Donella Puliti, S. W. D. G. M. H. D. K. L. Z., 2012. Overdiagnosis in Mammographic
Screening for Breast Cancer in Europe: A Literature Review. Sage Journals:Journals Of
Medical Screening, 19(1), pp. 42-56.
Gillespie, C., 2015. The risk experience: the social effects of health screening and the
emergence of a proto‐illness. [Online]
Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-9566.12257
[Accessed 24 December 2019].
NHS, 2018. Breast Screening Programme : England:2016-2017. [Online]
Available at:
https://files.digital.nhs.uk/pdf/m/f/breast_screening_programme__england__2016-17_-
_report__v2.pdf
[Accessed 24 December 2019].
NHS, 2018. Breast Screening Programme, England - 2016-17 [PAS]. [Online]
Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/breast-
screening-programme/breast-screening-programme-england---2016-17
[Accessed 24 December 2019].

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NHS, 2019. Benefits and risks: Breast Cancer Screening. [Online]
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-cancer-screening/why-its-offered/
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
NHS, 2019. Protecting and improving the nation's health:NHS Cervical Screening. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.bsccp.org.uk/assets/file/uploads/resources/NHSCSP_20_Colposcopy_and_Progr
amme_Management_(3rd_Edition)_(2).pdf
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
Paci, E., 2012. Summary of the Evidence of Breast Cancer Service Screening Outcomes in
Europe and First Estimate of the Benefit and Harm Balance Sheet. Sage Journals: Journals
on medical screening, 19(1), pp. 5-13.
Patsy Whelehan, A. E. M. W. S. M. G., 2013. The effect of mammography pain on repeat
participation in breast cancer screening: A systematic review. The Breast, 22(4), pp. 389-394.
S M Moss, R. E. D. C. J. C., 1994. Survival of Patients with Breast Cancer Diagnosed in the
United Kingdom Trial of Early Detection of Breast Cancer. Sage Journals: Journal on
medical sreening, 1(3), pp. 193-198.
statistics, O. f. n., 2019. Cancer registration statistics, England: 2017. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/
conditionsanddiseases/bulletins/cancerregistrationstatisticsengland/2017
[Accessed 23 December 2019].
UK, C. r., 2019. Together we will beat cancer. [Online]
Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/breast-cancer
[Accessed 23 December 2019].

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