Undoubtedly, there are a few success stories about mammograms. However, when you look at the big picture, mammograms, in general, may be doing more harm than good.
In October of 2015 the American Cancer Society changed its tune when it comes to mammograms. The recommendation is that women with an average risk for Breast Cancer start getting annual exams at age 45 instead of 40. They are also recommending that at age 55, women cut back to a mammogram every two years.
What prompted this surprising change from an institution that had been actively and aggressively promoting mammogram despite the documented dangers for years?
“False positives,” which can account for upwards of 20% of all detections, is the primary risk associated with mammogram. False positive often prompts doctors to jump the gun and call for more mammograms, biopsies and full-on cancer treatment, including radiation, chemo and mastectomy. The worry, the fear and the physical pain were all for nothing.
And then on the flip side mammograms miss up to one third or more of all breast cancers!
Unfortunately, there are much larger issues when it comes to mammogram that no one in the mainstream media is discussing.
Clear and Present Dangers of Mammograms
1. Increased Cancer Risk
In 1928, Dr. D.T. Quigley warned physicians about the dangers of spreading cancer cells through the compression of the mammogram. It is only logical that if there are any small, undetected tumors already developing in the breast, that painful compression could easily spread malignant cells through the blood flow and lymphatic system.
In addition, all that poking and prodding that women must go through during a mammogram may aggravate a tumor if one does exist.
2. Since When Is Radiation Safe?
A mammogram is X-ray radiation delivered to very sensitive tissue. A typical mammogram delivers 1000 times more radiation than a chest x-ray. How many people would be willing to stand in front of an x-ray machine for 1000 chest x-rays?
Pre-menopausal women receiving annual screenings for 10 years have a cumulative effect of 10% increase in Breast Cancer risk.
3 Increased Cancer Risk for High Risk Women
If you have a family history of cancer, repeated mammograms may very well increase the possibility of the development of Breast Cancer by exacerbating DNA strand breakage and reduce the effectiveness of tumor-suppressing genes.
4 No Valid Scientific Evidence for Mammograms
In a 2009 article posted on HealthCentral.com it was reported that nine FDA scientists had raised the red flag and shared their concerns on the agency's scientific procedures in reviewing the safety and efficacy of medical devices, including mammograms. In a letter to president-elect Obama, they alleged that ‘gross mishandling’ by FDA managers was “putting the country at risk.”
Let’s face it. Cancer is big business and mammograms are a spoke in the wheel that drives business to the hospitals, surgeons and drug companies.
After All is Said and Done, Mammograms Have NOT Reduced Breast Cancer Mortality
Surprisingly, with all the medical and media hype about mammograms, there have only been 8 international controlled clinical trials involving about 500,000 women. However, recent analysis of these trials concluded that only 2 of those studies were statistically valid and included only about 66,000 women. Based on these 2 trials, the authors, Gotzsche and Olsen, concluded, “There is no reliable evidence that screening decreases breast cancer mortality – not even a tendency towards an effect.”
So What’s A Girl Supposed To Do?
Of course, early detection is very important….the earlier the better. There are ways to stop cancer before it starts!
As empowered and informed women, we have many positive choices that are safe and effective. The next blog will address this and how to be proactive with prevention.