06/13/2026
Relative and proportional reductions are not the same thing as absolute reductions of a particular disease from a particular treatment.
It is imperative we consider the absolute outcomes as they are often in stark contrast to the relative benefit propagated in research.
When you hear that a treatment “reduces breast-cancer mortality by 40%,” it does not mean that 40 out of every 100 women are saved by the treatment.
It means the treatment reduces whatever the woman’s original risk was by about 40%.
For example:
If her estimated risk of dying from breast cancer over a certain period is 10%, a 40% relative reduction removes 40% of that 10%.
40% of 10% = 4%.
So her estimated risk would fall:
From 10%
To approximately 6% + side effects of the medication 💊
It is imperative to ask, “What is my absolute risk without treatment, and what is my risk with treatment?”
And no matter what,
