Reduced Anxiety and Depression Following Early Detection of Breast Cancer

This is a case for breast cancer screening, because in women who undergo regular screening mammograms, any breast cancer is more often detected at an early stage. This not only leads to better survival rates, but usually also to less invasive treatment and a faster recovery of mental well-being, as the presentation in Chicago* showed. That makes sense. A tumor detected early is often a smaller tumor, which can more easily be treated with breast-conserving surgery. You’ll be less likely to need a mastectomy. That means a faster recovery and a lower risk of complications. Furthermore, the risk of metastases in the axillary lymph nodes is lower, so you’re less likely to need an axillary lymph node dissection and don’t run the risk of developing a “swollen arm” (a possible complication after axillary surgery). It stands to reason that the stage at the time of diagnosis affects not only survival rates but also quality of life: less fatigue, less anxiety, less depression, and fewer complications. Doctors and researchers are increasingly focusing on life after breast cancer, because most women survive the disease and must continue living with its consequences.

Certainly, breast cancer screening also has drawbacks. As with all screening tests, there is a risk of overdiagnosis. Sometimes abnormalities are found that are difficult to distinguish from breast cancer but are treated as breast cancer just to be safe, even though that wasn’t necessary. All things considered, the benefits of screening do outweigh the drawbacks.

‍*Moghaddam AS. Predictors of progression, survival, and psychosocial burden in early-stage breast cancer: A real-world cohort study. ASCO 2026.