Overdiagnosis of Breast Cancer in Older Women—and Unnecessary Treatment—Is Widespread: Study

More than 316,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2025.
Overdiagnosis of Breast Cancer in Older Women—and Unnecessary Treatment—Is Widespread: Study
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More than 316,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and most will likely start treatment immediately. But according to a 2023 study, that may be a mistake.

Breast cancer in women ages 70 to 85 is often overdiagnosed, which may lead to unwarranted worry and unnecessary and intensive treatments such as surgery and chemotherapy that don’t improve quality of life.

Jessie Zhang
Jessie Zhang
Author
Jessie Zhang is a reporter based in Sydney, Australia, covering news on health and science.
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