A pop star's struggle with breast cancer led to a surge in breast cancer screening procedures in her native country among women who had a low risk for the disease, a new study says.

Australian researchers found that in the six months following Kylie Minogue's breast cancer diagnosis in April 2005:

  • Breast imaging rose by 33 per cent in 25 to 34 year old women and by 25 per cent in women aged 35 to 44.
  • Breast biopsies rose by 46 per cent in women aged 25 to 34 and by 37 per cent in 35 to 44 year old women.

The research was conducted by scientists at the University of Melbourne and is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

The scientists found that despite the increased screening, there wasn't a corresponding spike in the detection of cancer, meaning many women may have undergone unnecessary tests.

Study leader Dr. Margaret Kelaher of the University of Melbourne's School of Population Health said that the publicity surrounding Minogue's diagnosis and treatment, which led her to cancel a concert tour, may have made both women and their doctors jump the gun. Women may have overestimated their risk for the disease, and doctors may have become nervous about the potential medical and legal ramifications of missing a diagnosis.

"Raising women's awareness of the need to get screened is a generally good thing," Kelaher said in a statement.

"It appears there has been a situation where publicity has led to many low risk women using -- and probably overusing -- screening services. We need to improve the targeting of health messages and the confidence of women and their doctors in early breast cancer detection recommendations."

Most women under 40 do not undergo intensive breast cancer screening unless they have previously had, or have a strong family history of, the disease.

Kelaher said that an influx of women into the health-care system can increase wait times for tests, surgery and treatment for women who, in fact, have received a breast cancer diagnosis.

However, a celebrity such as Minogue should not be discouraged from speaking out about a health-care issue because she can raise crucial awareness among the general public.

"The visibility of a celebrity's illness provides an opportunity to address a huge health problem like breast cancer," Kelaher said.

"Consultation between a celebrity's PR team and public health agencies on how to shape and disseminate the information could help create a message with the best chances of furthering the quality of care and sound public health practice."