A study conducted in the UK reveals that frequent mammograms to screen for breast tumors can save the lives of two women for every one woman who undergoes unnecessary treatment. The research was conducted by the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. It was published in the Journal of Medical Screening.

Critics of regular breast mammographic screening claim that while mammography can help in detecting malignant tumors, it also reveals benign lumps.

However, mammography alone cannot expose whether the lump is benign or malignant due to which some women undergo needless surgery for harmless lumps. However, scientists evince that the benefits of regular screening outweigh its drawbacks.

The study affirms that screening can save lives. If these mammograms are not carried out malignant tumors would go undetected and the cancer may spread to other parts of the body.

Stephen Duffy from the Queen Mary, University of London, who led the study, remarks, “Unfortunately, we haven't yet got a flawless screening test, and some cases that are picked up wouldn't have needed treatment".

The study contends an earlier Nordic research which denied any link between regular mammographic screening and the death rate. The results of this study claimed that organizing regular screening for women does not affect death rates.